A Guide to Shared Lives Plus Membership

A guide to Shared Lives Plus membership

Welcome to the UK’s leading membership network for shared living We are experts in Shared Lives and Homeshare, built on decades of experience and knowledge across the UK. “Your support was invaluable when I was going through a messy divorce and buying a new house.

You helped me to keep working – I can’t thank you enough.” ­ Sarah, Shared Lives carer, Devon

Join the digital revolution

There’s so much to get out of your membership, you can find all of the details in your personal membership account – log in at: www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk with the email address you gave to us when you joined.

Here, you can dip into different parts of your membership when you need to.

Shared Lives Plus supports Shared Lives carers by providing advice, networking opportunities, and training – as well as a wide range of benefits.

Important dates

Make the most of your membership Emergency support and legal expenses cover for de-approval situations

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Back up when you need it

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Everyday benefits of membership

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Connect with others in your shoes

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A powerful voice

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Get involved

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Useful contact details

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Emergency support and legal expenses cover for de-approval situations Our members’ guide – ‘How to make the most of your legal expenses and advice cover’ has more details if you are in the difficult situation where you need to respond to or appeal de-approval from being a Shared Lives carer. Find it in your online members’ area.

If you are facing de-approval proceedings from your Shared Lives scheme, and during any appeal against de-approval, you can gain advice from specialist solicitors: Stephensons, 0333 344 4881.

An advisor will return your call within 24 hours if they are not available to speak immediately. You may not be able to speak to a solicitor directly, depending on the issue, but an advisor will provide you with all the information that you need to help you manage your circumstances. You can also read our advice about safeguarding for Shared Lives carers on our website.

Your legal expenses covers up to £100,000 legal costs for a range of legal disputes, including appealing de-approval and criminal prosecutions subject to you following policy conditions and the claim is not as a result of an excluded event. You can find full policy details on our website at: www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Emergency support and legal expenses cover for de-approval situations

If you are unsure which number to call, ring the Shared Lives Plus team first on 0151 227 3499, we are here for you.

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Back up when you need it Mortgages made easy We’ve already got help on hand if your mortgage company don’t understand that you’re living with an unrelated but specially chosen person who isn’t a tenant, and feels like part of your family. Our specialist mortgage advisors from Mortgage Brain are here to help guide you through the process with no obligation, whether you are a first time buyer, moving home or re-mortgaging.

There is no fee for a consultation and it’s just £150 on application for members. It’s just one of our perks and makes life that little bit easier.

Back up when you need it

Tax returns and advice We offer guidance or tax advice about how to register as self-employed, qualifying care relief, and how to do an online tax return through our partners BKPlus and BWM Chartered Accountants.

If you have a complex arrangement and you need a tax return done for you, we have arranged discounts with Accountants who understand your Shared Lives carer role.

Contact: BKPlus 0121 828 6058 (£160 inc. VAT) BWM Chartered Accountants 0151 236 1494 (£240 inc. VAT)

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Back up when you need it

Free NI and benefits help from BKPlus Advisors at BKPlus, have specialised in self-employed carer finances for over 11 years, in that time they have built up a wealth of knowledge and experience in advising on carer tax, NI and benefits.

You can talk to them about: Income Tax – responsibilities, liabilities, allowances and guidance in completing tax returns.

National Insurance – how to get it right to ensure that you will receive full state pension at your retirement date.

Benefits – you and your family’s benefits entitlements e.g. universal credit, PIP, housing benefit, council tax relief, DLA, carers allowance, ESA and more.

BKPlus are also offering Shared Lives Plus carers, and any selfemployed member of their families, a fixed, discounted rate of £160 inc. VAT when they sign up for their tax return service.

General legal advice You can seek general legal advice through our legal helpline on any legal issue.

This service is provided by LawExpress and you will need your membership number to access their services - 0330 303 1876

De-approval – legal advice We also offer specific legal advice about de-approval, call Stephensons Solicitors on 0333 344 4881

Back up when you need it

Public liability insurance – essential and included in full membership If not, it’s around £40 to upgrade from basic membership.

When you care for an elderly or disabled person you may be legally liable, if someone suffers a loss or is injured as a result of the actions of the person in your care, or under your supervision.

Our partners Towergate have many years of understanding the unique nature of familybased Shared Lives care and have developed a policy which provides effective and broad cover for up to £10 million.

Public liability insurance protects Shared Lives carers from claims arising from personal injury or property damage to a third party as a result of alleged negligence on your part.

We hope it never happens, but if it does, you’ve got peace of mind you can get on with the job of living!

It’s an essential part of your role and even if your council say they provide it, please double check to make sure it covers Shared Lives.

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Everyday benefits of membership Wider Wallet Wider Wallet is a website with lots of offers to save you money every day and for when you are splashing out!

Updated weekly, it includes online discounts, cashback offers, reloadable discounted gift cards – that you can use for your weekly shopping and downloadable vouchers. For example, you can save 3% at Asda, 6% at B&Q, 7% at Bella Italia or 10% at Cineworld on cinema tickets.

To register and find the access code, log in to your membership account on www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk and look for ‘discounts and freebies’.

Join our weekly lottery!

For every £1 ticket supporters buy, we receive 50p which helps us to support you, our members and grow Shared Lives and Homeshare – with the chance of winning £25,000! Join up or donate on our website.

Everyday benefits of membership

Blue Light Card Blue Light Card is the discount service for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces, providing our members with thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street.

For just £4.99, members of the Blue Light community can register for 2-years access to more than 15,000 discounts from large national retailers to local businesses across categories such as holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more.

Shared Lives Plus members can fill in the Blue Light Card eligibility request form on the Shared Lives Plus website or get in touch with our team and you will be provided with a ‘proof of eligibility’ letter, which you can use to apply for the discount card.

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Connect with others in your shoes Chat with other Shared Lives carers in our online community An area for you to talk to fellow Shared Lives carers. Log in www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Meet others for support, friendship and fun We offer practical support and advice to develop and maintain a Shared Lives carer group in your area.

Join the quarterly Your Voice forums

Join one of our Shared Lives carer induction meetings

To talk with other Shared Lives carers, the Shared Lives Plus team and Trustees from the Shared Lives Plus Board about issues

Where our carer support team can talk you through all the benefits of membership, answer any questions you might have and introduce you to other Shared Lives carers.

that are affecting you.

Connect with others

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A powerful voice Campaigns We want to make sure people involved in Shared Lives can get on with the job of living.

We ensure that you have the right support, legal, financial and political structures in place, so that what sounds like a brilliant idea, feels like one too.

Our campaigns focus on responding to legal changes in every part of the UK, promoting the value of Shared Lives carers across social care services, and ensuring that as many people as possible can choose who they live with and how they spend their time. That’s the joy of Shared Lives!

Through our links with local councils, schemes, think tanks, research bodies and government, we also keep you up to date about new guidance: for example the landlord status of Shared Lives carers and universal credit, and changes in the political and legislative landscape that affect you.

A powerful voice

Our #Invaluable campaign, seeks to ensure Shared Lives carers are paid fairly for their essential work. We have raised the issue of the cost-of-living grant with the Department of Work and Pensions, and we will continue to highlight areas of policy which exclude Shared Lives carers including how cost of living grants are allocated which makes it difficult for Shared Lives carers to access any of this support payment towards the overall cost of living in the Shared Lives household.

We are part of the Care and Support Alliance campaigning for reforms in social care including adequate funding.

Universal credit We are working with government colleagues for changes to how universal credit is being rolled out, including the restriction of housing costs and income. We will continue to promote the rights of Shared Lives carers and people you support.

Our recent successes

We are also allies of the Disability Poverty Campaign Group (DPCG), a new coalition led by Disability Rights UK and Inclusion London.

The purpose of the group is to respond to increasing poverty in the Disabled community around food, fuel, and benefits as the cost-of-living increases.

Search Keywords: ‘Membership updates’ On our website www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk To find out what we’re currently working on to support our members.

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Get involved Online Follow and share our latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can find us by searching ‘Shared Lives Plus’. We’d love you to be involved, especially to recruit younger carers, members and supporters!

Share your story How did you hear about Shared Lives? Word of mouth? Members tell us that hearing or reading about how rewarding other people find it, is very inspirational and encouraged them to become carers and members! Regional and national media often want to cover stories about Shared Lives or Homeshare so we’re always looking out for positive and warm spokespeople. If you’d like to share your story, you can on our website, or email press@sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Get involved

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Useful contact details Log into your account to find all this information and more www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Membership and general enquiries – our admin team: Shared Lives Plus Office 0151 227 3499 membership@sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Shared Lives carer helpline: 0151 227 3499 A message will be taken and one of the carer support team will call you back.

Call your carer champions: Steve Collis (Monday 9am – 2pm, Tuesday 9am – 5pm, Thursday 9am – 2pm) 07565 880882 Rebecca Day (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 3pm) 07585 705326

Useful contact details

Shared Lives Plus is the UK membership charity for people living and working in Shared Lives care or Homeshare.

Our vision is a kinder stronger, society built on sharing our lives and our homes.

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Mortgage advice: Mortgage Brain, Katie/Marcus 0800 987 1700 Benefits advice: BK Plus 0121 828 6058 General tax advice: Pat Lewis, BK Plus 0121 828 6058 Legal Tax helpline: LawExpress 0330 303 1876 Completion and submission of tax returns (chargeable) Pat Lewis, BK Plus 0121 828 6058 (Shared Lives Plus members will be charged a reduced rate of £160 inc. VAT) Sue Stephens, BWM accountants 0151 236 1494 (Shared Lives Plus members will be charged a reduced rate of £240 inc. VAT) General legal advice: LawExpress 0330 303 1876 (You will need to quote your Shared Lives Plus membership number when calling) De-approval – legal advice: Stephensons Solicitors 0333 344 4881 Public Liability queries: check you are covered 0151 227 3499 Public liability claims: Mark Taylor, Towergate 07816 241 446 or 0113 426 4847

Registered Charity Number (England and Wales): 1095562 Registered Charity Number (Scotland): SC042743 Company Number: 4511426 VAT number: 302 6201 63

Our lives get better when they’re shared