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Shared Lives

Go to the Easy read version about Shared Lives.

 

photo of service user and carer on a sofaThe Shared Lives scheme provides a range of services in Medway which enable vulnerable adults to share in family life, make new friends, enjoy new experiences and share in everyday activities. The scheme encourages people to promote their strengths and abilities.

The Shared Lives scheme aims to maintain strong links between adults seeking placements and their families. The scheme encourages people to plan for their future as well as keeping in touch with their past.

The Medway Council Shared Lives scheme was awarded an Excellent, Three Star status by the Care Quality Commission in 2010. The Star award scheme has since ended and providers are found to be either compliant or non-compliant. Tne Medway Scheme had a Review of Compliance in April 2011 in which we were found to be compliant in all essential standards reviewed. Download the Compliance Document (pdf 130KB). To use this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use our advice page.

Shared Lives Needs You!

Medway Shared Lives Scheme is always looking for more people who are willing to share their home and lives with vulnerable adults. You can be a couple, single, a homeowner or renting your property, we don't mind. You will have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check and a thorough assesment by the Shared Lives Team. Presently we support adults with learning disabilities, but we are now advertising our services for adults with a physical disability and adults with Dementia.

The support provided ranges from long-term live-in support, short-term live-in support,  respite care, and sessional support. If you think you could support someone in one or more of these ways, please call the number below or download the 'Get Involved' initial application form ( pdf 62KB).To use these files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use the advice page.

Name change for NAAPS

At their annual conference in Cardiff in October, NAAPS (National Association of Adult PLacement Schemes) changed their name to SharedLivesPlus. More details can be found by going to the News page of the updated SharedLivesPlus website.

Shared Lives newsletter

The Autumn/Winter 2011 edition of the Shared Lives newsletter can be found on the carers' page.

Shared Lives 2011 survey results

In January 2011, Medway Shared Lives Scheme sent out a questionnaire to our carers, aimed at finding out how they viewed the running of the scheme, and where we could improve.

There were questions about the approval process; the matching process; the team’s response to phone queries;  responses to ‘out of hours’ calls; support & monitoring (carer supervision); paperwork; carer support meetings; carer social events and a comments box where carers could make comments ;and suggestions about the service provided by the Scheme. 

Overall, the people who returned their questionnaires told us that we are doing a good job and that we provide a good level of support. Download the survey results (pdf 37KB). Who can access the service?

  • Adults with learning and physical disabilities between the ages of 18 and 65 years.
  • People over the age of 65 years with learning disabilities, in some circumstances.

Who provides the care?

Photo of two women with bikesCare is given by carers who are friendly, sensible and mature people who have been approved by Medway Council. All carers undergo police and health checks and an extensive assessment. Carers encourage people to take part in everyday family life and to develop their own interests.

A carer can be an individual or a family who can offer short or long-term accommodation in their own home to an adult with a learning or physical disability.

Carers should be adults living alone or in a family in Medway, who have a spare bedroom and have the time and patience to support an adult with a learning disability. Carers receive training before anyone is placed with their family and continuing help and support is provided. A review of carers is carried out each year. In this way, we can ensure a high standard of care is being provided.

Carers provide the following services:

  • long-term care and support;
  • kinship;
  • day support;
  • respite and short breaks.

Find out more

You can find out more about how Shared Lives works by following the links below:Image of text shared lives

 

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 337100 or by email: sharedlives@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Shared Lives, Lordswood Community and Healthy Living Centre, Sultan Road, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8JT

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