Plymouth City Council is looking to expand a care service that supports adults with additional needs, helping them to live as independently as possible.
The service, Shared Lives, offers people the opportunity to live in their community with a host family or carer so that they can receive a personalised package of care and support. Adults currently supported by the service in Plymouth include those with a learning disability, physical disability or mental health issues.
The service offers both long-term care and short breaks to provide respite to other carers. It’s similar to fostering or supported lodgings for children and young people.
The Council is awarding a new contract to the existing provider, Shared Lives South West, which will see the service continue for another two years following a decision signed today.
The new contract also allows for an 11.5 per cent increase in the fee carers receive to recognise the work hosts do in supporting vulnerable adults in the city. There are currently 13 people in Plymouth who receive care from Shared Lives, but it is hoped that the increase will help with the recruitment and retention of carers, enabling more people to benefit from this type of care.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “The Shared Lives service is really valuable, supporting adults with additional needs or disabilities to live as independently in possible but with essential support on hand when they need it. This provides an alternative to supported living or care homes, enabling people to remain in their own communities and empowering them to develop independent living skills.
“We’re hoping to increase the number of Shared Lives carers in Plymouth so that more people can benefit from this brilliant service. It’s an incredibly rewarding and unusual role that gives people interested in working in care the opportunity to work from home, so if it’s something that you’re interested in I’d encourage you to find out more.”
Dominic Spayne, CEO at Shared Lives South West, said: "With nearly two decades of history, we take pride in our 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission and we are excited to continue growing our services in Plymouth.
“We are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we support, the communities we are a part of, and the broader social care sector. Through our services being truly person-centred, people supported by Shared Lives services live their fullest lives and the outcomes we see are inspiring.
“To become a Shared Lives Carer you need is a spare room and either prior care experience or transferable skills.
“Shared Lives Carers appreciate the flexibility of working from home and find the role to be exceptionally rewarding. We look forward to hearing from people who are interested in the role.”
Carers do not need to have formal qualifications, but are required to have had experience in the health and social care sector or relevant transferable skills. Full training and ongoing support is provided to successful applicants. For more information and to apply to become a carer, visit the Shared Lives South West website: www.sharedlivessw.org.uk.