The new Shared Lives Carers will open their home and family life, to offer Live-In (long term), Short Breaks (respite) and Day Opportunity support to adults in Dudley who may be vulnerable or have a disability.
As a starting point Shared Lives is sometimes described as ‘a little bit like foster care for adults’, but it is so much more than that, as we enable the person to make their own choices in life, take control and maximise their independence.
The newly developing scheme, based in Stourbridge, will work with Social Care and Health teams across the region to increase the range of support from the more traditional Learning Disability model, to include all areas of need including; supporting people with mental ill health, early-onset dementia, hospital discharges, older people, physical disabilities, people on the Autistic Spectrum and those with other complex support needs.
Registered Manager Kate Morgan states “The approval process to become a Shared Lives Carer includes a bespoke induction training package and relevant checks and references. The process can take between 3-6 months, and this time allows the scheme worker to assess the personal commitment, skills and values, which is then quality assured by our Independent Panel”.
Newly approved Shared Lives Carers Hannah and Sam Denham said, “the process is detailed and thorough, but it has to be to make sure we are the right people for the job”. “Sam and I are so excited to begin our venture as Shared Lives Carers, and we know the role will allow us to develop our skills and learn new things while supporting someone as part of the family”.
