Birmingham Shared Lives – help and support in the community Birmingham Shared Lives connects people who need help and support to live independent lives within the community with a Shared Lives carer who provides this support in their own home. The service is for adults who are aged 18 or over who may have additional needs, such as a learning disability, physical disability, frailty or dementia, and who are unable to live fully independently. How could the Birmingham Shared Lives service help? The service is built around your individual needs, the things you want from a home environment and how you wish to live. Everyone is entitled to a good quality of life and to live as independently as possible with choice and control over what happens in their lives. The Shared Lives service will talk to you and find out what is important to you, and match you with someone who can provide the support you need in an environment in which you feel comfortable.
You can speak to the Shared Lives service directly to find out more, or speak to a social worker or anyone else supporting you at the moment. Tel: 0121 464 3164 Email: sharedlives@birmingham.gov.uk Web: www.birmingham.gov.uk/sharedlives Could you be a Shared Lives Carer? Birmingham Shared Lives is currently recruiting carers across Birmingham to offer long- or short-term placements for vulnerable adults. What type of care does a Shared Lives carer provide? As a Shared Lives carer, you would need to offer both accommodation and support. The support you may be required to provide could include: • personal care, like washing and dressing; • emotional support; • helping with managing money;
You will spend time in the carer’s home before you make any commitment and you will be supported throughout the process and beyond by a dedicated support worker.
• helping with medication;
Do I have to pay for the service? There is a charge for staying with a Shared Lives carer. You will need to have a financial assessment to decide how much you will need to pay towards the costs. This will be fully explained before any commitments are made.
• supporting the person you care for to maintain relationships and build new ones; and
Does Birmingham Shared Lives offer any other services? Yes, Birmingham Shared Lives offers short-stay, daytime-only or respite for those needing support but who may not wish to live full-time in a carer's home. Contact Shared Lives about these services to find out more.
How do I apply? Contact the Shared Lives service in the first instance – they will be happy to answer any questions you have and give you any information you need. If you are interested in applying after you have contacted Shared Lives, the service will send you an application form to begin the process and are happy to come and visit you to discuss further.
How is the service regulated? Birmingham Shared Lives is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and meets the regulations in the Health and Social Care Act 2008. As of 2017, the service has a ‘Good’ CQC rating.
6
• helping with cooking and cleaning; • encouraging the person you care for to be independent;
• supporting the person with appointments. If you can demonstrate an understanding and caring approach, you could be a Shared Lives carer.
Tel: 0121 464 3164 Email: sharedlives@birmingham.gov.uk Web: www.birmingham.gov.uk/sharedlives
For assistance with finding care and support, call Care Choices on 0800 389 2077