Shared Lives is a service that offers people an alternative and highly flexible form of accommodation and/or care or support using the Shared Lives carer's home as a base.

Shared Lives arrangements are set up and supported by Shared Lives schemes and the care and accommodation people receive is provided by ordinary individuals, couples or families in the local community. Individuals and their Shared Lives carers enjoy shared activities and life experiences.

Shared Lives offers:

• short term care for adults with a learning disability to provide a break for families or carers. Care can be for a maximum of 2 weeks at any one time and is agreed within the person’s care plan guidelines.
• long-term accommodation for between 1 to 3 adults with a learning disability in the shared lives provider’s home.

Care is provided by people who are approved by BCP Council adult social services as Shared Lives providers for either overnight or long-term care. Care can be provided in the Shared Lives provider's own home.

People are referred to the scheme by their social care worker.

Find out more about the BCP Council Shared Lives Scheme. 

For enquires about Shared Lives contact Adult Social Care at shared.lives@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or phone 01202 096655. Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4:30pm.