Celebrating Professional Care Worker’s Week 2024

It’s a unique way of caring, but it doesn’t exist in isolation – Shared Lives carers often work hand-in-hand with other care services to make sure people get the best support tailored to their needs.

Shared Lives carers open their homes to adults who need support. It’s an approach which can complement better known care settings, like day centres or home-based care, by offering a more personalised, family-like environment.

While a Shared Lives carer might offer day-to-day help and companionship, the individual they support may also have other care needs that require the expertise of specialist services. Whether it’s medical care, social workers, or home care support, Shared Lives fits in as part of a broader network, so that people can receive well-rounded and comprehensive support.

This means that people aren’t just looked after physically, but also have their emotional and social needs met. It’s this holistic approach that makes Shared Lives so special – Shared Lives carers aren’t just there to provide services; they’re there to offer friendship, stability, and a home in a family environment.

Shared Lives can also play a key role in helping people transition between the different types of care they may draw on.

A great is example of this is the expansion of Shared Lives for young people who may have been looked after in a fostering arrangement or a residential children’s home. Moving into a Shared Lives household can provide a young person with stability and continuity as they gain more independence.

Another example is the Shared Lives for mental health crisis service in South East Wales that was highlighted as a model of care by the World Health Organisation in 2021.

During Professional Care Workers’ Week, it’s important to acknowledge both the strengths and the limitations of the current care system. Shared Lives is a brilliant model that offers something truly meaningful – but it exists within a care landscape that is facing significant challenges. While the relationships built within Shared Lives are deeply rewarding, Shared Lives carers and scheme workers often face the difficult task of managing these responsibilities without the consistent support they deserve.

So, as we celebrate Professional Care Workers’ Week, let’s appreciate the dedication and compassion of care workers across all types of services, and especially those in Shared Lives who provide such a unique and personal form of care. At the same time, let’s also recognise the ongoing need for a more joined-up, well-supported care system that allows carers to focus on what matters most – offering the best possible care for the people they support.