The State of Shared Lives 2024-25 report
The State of Shared Lives 2024–25 brings together four years of national data to provide a clear picture of Shared Lives across the UK.
Drawing on data collected from Shared Lives schemes between 2021–22 and 2024–25, it shows how the model is supporting people, how patterns of support are changing, and how Shared Lives continues to develop over time.
This page brings together the UK-wide report alongside nation-specific reports for Scotland and Wales, helping readers explore both the overall picture and how Shared Lives is developing in different parts of the UK.
View the UK report
Download the UK report (PDF)
Also available: 2024-25 Scotland report · 2024-25 Wales report · Report archive · Data transparency statement
UK report highlights
The number of people supported in Shared Lives remains stable at 9,898 in 2024–25.
England continues to perform strongly, while Scotland recorded 4% growth in 2024-2025.
The number of Shared Lives carers has grown 13% over 4 years reaching 10,406.
The strongest year for growth was 2023–24, with increases in England (3%), Wales (12%), and Northern Ireland (2%).
There are 5,589 Shared Lives households in the UK and 1,695 carers are Support Carers.
Since data collection on workforce began in Wales and Scotland in 2022–23, the three-year national dataset shows the Shared Lives Plus workforce grew steadily from 954 to 997 staff by 2024–25, an approximate 5% increase.
71% of people working at Shared Lives schemes are full time.
What’s in the UK report
The UK report focuses on:
- how many people Shared Lives supports across the UK
- how Shared Lives arrangements are accessed (including live-in support, short breaks and day support)
- how the number of carers and the workforce are changing over time
- new national insight into care leavers moving into Shared Lives
- early evidence of how investment is supporting growth in some areas
If you’re looking for nation-specific detail, explore the State of Shared Lives in Scotland 2024–25 and State of Shared Lives in Wales 2024–25 pages.
Using the findings
The State of Shared Lives reports are designed to support learning, planning and decision-making at local and national levels.
They are used by Shared Lives schemes, commissioners, policymakers and partners to:
- understand patterns of support and change over time
- identify opportunities for growth and development
- inform workforce planning and service design
- support the case for investment in Shared Lives
View the UK report
About the data
This report draws on the best available data at the time of analysis, collected from Shared Lives schemes between 2021–22 and 2024–25, and supplemented by other sources where appropriate.
Data coverage and level of detail vary by area and by year.
To understand how the data was collected, what it includes, and how it should be interpreted, read the full data transparency statement.
Other reports this year
This year’s publication includes separate reports for Scotland and Wales, providing nation-level insight alongside the UK-wide report.
State of Shared Lives in Scotland 2024–25
State of Shared Lives in Wales 2024–25
Earlier editions
You can explore previous editions of the State of Shared Lives reports in the archive.
