Shared Lives

Shared Lives Hertfordshire

Shared Lives is a type of support that helps people live meaningful lives by sharing a home, relationships, and community.

People aged 18 and over who need support can move into the homes of approved carers, sharing their family and community.

This can be for any young person, adult, or older person who needs support due to learning or physical disabilities, or mental ill health.

All carers are trained and receive continuous support from the Shared Lives team. They also receive payment and tax relief, among other incentives.

Carers and people who need support are carefully matched in a thorough process, respecting the wishes of both parties.

Become a Shared Lives carer

Anyone over 18 and who has a spare room can become a Shared Lives carer.

You can be a carer even if you:

are renting your house
have another job
have no experience caring for someone.

We want our carers to reflect the diversity of Hertfordshire and of the people they support, so we welcome applications from people with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, from the LGBTQ+ community and people who live alone.

As a carer, you will receive payment, training, tax relief, and other benefits.

The approval process usually takes 3-4 months.

The assessment process

Once you've got in touch with us, we'll:

Arrange a time to have an informal chat with you
Get you to complete an application form
Arrange a home visit from a Shared Lives worker who will also complete DBS checks.
Arrange follow‑up visits to get to know you better and complete your carer assessment. This gives you the chance to tell us more about your skills, experience and what you can offer.

As part of the process, we'll also:

ask for professional references
check that you have permission from your mortgage provider or landlord, if this applies to you.

We will guide and support you through each step of the assessment.

Your assessment will then be reviewed by a panel. If the panel think you are suitable and approves you, we'll begin the matching process to find someone who needs support.

What is Shared Lives?

What you'll be paid

You'll be paid on average £300 to £600 a week. That's about £16,000 to £31,000 a year.

Tax relief

You'll be able to claim Qualifying Care Relief (QCR). You'll get:

a tax exemption of up to £19,690 per household
tax relief of £495 per week.

Training

You will receive a comprehensive set of training to best set you up as a carer, including:

first aid
health and safety
safeguarding adults
Mental Capacity Act
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
and any other extra training (e.g. epilepsy, autism) as needed.

Other benefits

Regular support from the council’s Shared Lives workers.
Paid respite (taking a break from caring).
Be a part of our network of carers.
Blue Light card.
Recognition and awards from Hertfordshire County Council.

You will change someone’s life.

You will be supported every step of the way.

Finding a match

We want you to feel confident and comfortable with the person you support. We will never rush a match or move forward unless everyone is happy.

When someone is referred to Shared Lives, we look carefully at our approved carers to find the best possible match. This includes thinking about:

where you live
your interests and hobbies
the support you can offer
culture and background
your household, including family members and pets.

If we think there could be a good match, we will arrange an initial meeting in your home. This gives you and the person being supported a chance to get to know each other.

The meeting usually includes, you, the person being supported, their social worker and a member of the Shared Lives team

If the first meeting goes well, we'll arrange further one‑to‑one meetings – these might take place somewhere more relaxed, like a café.

You will have time to meet several times before making any decisions. This can include:

introducing the person to your family
a trial overnight stay, if appropriate.

You will never be expected to continue if the match does not feel right. If everyone involved agrees to go ahead, we'll:

confirm a start date with you
put a personalised support plan in place.

You will be supported by the Shared Lives team throughout the process.