What is a Shared Lives Carer?
Shared Lives is a unique care and support service where individuals and families open their homes to support an adult who needs help to live a fulfilling life [1.5.2]. It's often compared to fostering, but for adults with disabilities, mental health needs, or other challenges that make living alone difficult [1.5.5]. As a carer, you share your home and community life, providing support that can range from a few hours a day to a long-term, live-in arrangement [1.5.1]. This model helps people feel settled, valued, and part of a family and community [1.5.6].
Understanding Shared Lives Carer Pay
As a Shared Lives carer, you are considered self-employed, so you receive a fee or an 'allowance' rather than a salary [1.3.2]. This payment structure offers flexibility and acknowledges the unique nature of the role. The income can be quite stable, especially in long-term arrangements [1.5.3].
Weekly payments for a long-term, live-in arrangement vary significantly across the UK but generally fall within the range of £400 to over £750 per person [1.2.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.5]. Some schemes quote yearly incomes from £26,000 to £33,800 [1.2.1]. This amount is not just for your time and skills; it also includes a contribution from the person you support toward household expenses like food, rent, and utilities, which is paid from their benefits [1.4.6, 1.7.4].
Key Factors That Influence Your Pay
The amount you receive is not standardized and depends on several factors:
- Level of Support Needed: The primary factor is the complexity of the needs of the person you support. Individuals with higher or more complex needs (such as significant physical disabilities or challenging behaviours) will command a higher payment band [1.4.6, 1.3.5].
- Location: Fees vary considerably between different local authorities and Shared Lives schemes across the country [1.4.2, 1.4.1]. For example, rates in Milton Keynes may differ from those in Wakefield or Lancashire [1.3.3, 1.3.2, 1.2.1].
- Type of Arrangement: The payment structure changes based on the type of care provided.
- Long-term placements: This is the most common arrangement where someone lives with you full-time and typically pays the highest weekly rates [1.3.2].
- Short breaks (respite): This involves someone staying for a weekend or a few weeks. Payment is often calculated on a nightly basis, for example, £79 to £139 per night [1.3.5].
- Day support: This is where someone visits your home for a few hours during the day. This is paid at an hourly or sessional rate [1.2.5].
Estimated Weekly Pay Bands Comparison
Different schemes use banding systems to determine pay. While these vary by council, a general comparison looks like this:
| Support Level | Estimated Weekly Fee (Long-Term) | Typical Nightly Rate (Short Break) |
|---|---|---|
| Low Need | £300 – £420 | £60 - £80 |
| Medium Need | £420 – £590 | £80 - £100 |
| High Need | £590 – £880+ | £100 - £140+ |
Note: These figures are estimates based on various council data and are for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates are set by the specific Shared Lives scheme [1.4.2, 1.3.2, 1.4.6].
The Major Benefit: Qualifying Care Relief (Tax Exemption)
One of the most significant financial advantages of being a Shared Lives carer is a special tax scheme called Qualifying Care Relief [1.7.2]. This means a large portion of your income is tax-free.
For the 2024-2025 tax year, you do not pay tax on income up to the qualifying amount, which consists of two parts:
- A fixed annual amount of £19,360 per household [1.7.2, 1.3.2].
- An additional £485 per week for each person you support [1.7.2, 1.3.2].
If your total earnings from care are below this combined threshold, you will likely pay no income tax or Class 4 National Insurance on your Shared Lives income [1.7.1]. You still need to register as self-employed with HMRC [1.7.2].
How to Become a Shared Lives Carer
The process to become a carer is thorough to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. It typically takes between three to six months and involves several key stages [1.6.1]:
- Enquiry: Contact your local Shared Lives scheme to express interest.
- Application: Complete an application form.
- Assessment: A dedicated social worker will visit you and your home. This involves interviews about your lifestyle, experience, and skills, as well as background checks like a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check [1.6.2].
- Training: You will complete mandatory training covering topics like safeguarding, first aid, and medication management [1.2.1]. No formal qualifications are usually needed to start [1.6.2].
- Panel Approval: Your application is presented to an independent panel for a final decision [1.6.1].
- Matching: Once approved, the scheme will work to match you with a compatible individual based on personalities, lifestyles, and needs [1.6.3].
Conclusion
Becoming a Shared Lives carer is more than just a job; it's a unique vocation that allows you to make a profound difference from your own home. While the pay varies, the combination of a generous weekly allowance and significant tax relief makes it a financially viable and rewarding path. If you have patience, a sense of humour, and a desire to help others, it's a role worth exploring. To learn more and find your local scheme, visit the national charity for Shared Lives, Shared Lives Plus.
