Chief Social Worker praises Shared Lives visits as “brilliant days” in letter to carers and care-experienced young people

The visits, which took place on 30th April and 7th May, are part of Shared Lives Plus’ national programme supporting care-experienced young people with a learning disability, autism, or mental health challenges. The programme aims to ensure Shared Lives is embedded in the Staying Close initiative – a new statutory duty for local authorities in England to provide ongoing support and accommodation to care leavers up to age 25.

During the visits, Ms Trowler met Shared Lives carers, young people, and professionals from local authorities and partner organisations. In a letter following the visits, she wrote:

“They were both brilliant days. I am very grateful for the time [the young people and carers] all spent with me, and for sharing their many success stories. I was also pleased to have the opportunity to meet with so many colleagues working in collaboration in the local authorities and for Shared Lives. It was valuable to learn about how they work together, and how this works in practice.”

The Telford visit was joined by Shared Lives Plus Chief Executive Ewan King, who described it as “a day of inspiring stories about the difference Shared Lives has made.”

Rachel Leslie, Strategic Advisor for People Leaving Care and Transitions at Shared Lives Plus, attended the Oxfordshire visit and said: “It was a day filled with warmth, love and care, showcasing the powerful impact of relationship-centred support for care leavers.”

The visits come as Shared Lives Plus continues to work across England, Wales and Scotland to ensure Shared Lives is available to young people leaving care, complementing programmes such as When I am Ready and Continuing Care.

The programme works in partnership with local authorities, the NHS, voluntary and community organisations, and housing providers to grow Shared Lives services and improve outcomes for care-experienced young people – while also reducing pressure on the wider social care system.

To build on this work, Shared Lives Plus hosted its first in-person Community of Practice event in Birmingham on 15 May, bringing together 25 participants including three newly appointed care-experienced ambassadors. The event explored how Shared Lives can provide a more stable, supported transition from care into adulthood.

Rachel also shared her insights in Children & Young People Now, writing about how Shared Lives can turn the “cliff edge at 18” into a launchpad for young people. Read the full article here.