Shared Lives carers are not employed by the council and must register as self-employed. You can find out how to set up as self-employed on the GOV.UK website.
For specific guidance regarding Shared Lives carer payments and completing your tax return, see the Guidance: Shared Lives Carers Payments and Qualifying Care Relief on the Shared Lives Plus website.
The amount you'll receive as a Shared Lives carer depends on the:
- Level of support you provide
- Needs of the adult
Long term Shared Lives carers
As a long term Shared Lives carer, each month you'll receive:
- A care and support payment (from Herefordshire Council)
- Rent (normally from the Housing Benefit element of the supported person's Universal Credit)
- Household expenses, such as food and utility bills (paid for by the person you support)
Short breaks carers
As a short breaks Shared Lives carer, you receive a flat rate from Herefordshire Council for each night the person stays with you. This covers the care and support you provide, room rent and any household expenses.
Shared Days carers
As a Shared Days carer, you receive a flat rate per person, per session, which can be a whole day or a half day.
Other benefits
You also:
- Automatically qualify for free Herefordshire Council public liability insurance (subject to you working to our policies)
- Have an allowance of 28 days paid carer breaks. This means we'll pay for alternative care and support agreed with and for the person you support
- Are entitled to receive the majority of your payment tax free. You can find out more about qualifying care relief on the GOV.UK website.
Training
Online learning and some face to face training is provided free for all Shared Lives carers. Completion to achieve approval is required and you will need to complete refresher courses every three years to maintain approval status.
This includes training in:
- Basic life support
- Medication
- Safeguarding
- Mental capacity
- Health and safety
- Oliver McGowan training on learning disability and autism
- Equality and diversity
- Handling information
Depending upon the needs of the person you support, additional training is available.
Find out more
Please contact us using the details below and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Shared Lives Plus
Shared Lives Plus provide a range of information about becoming a Shared Lives carer. They also offer membership which includes shopping discounts, legal support and an online chat room to help you connect with other Shared Lives carers.