Shared CareShared care offers short term care to adults with a learning disability and the people who care for them.
The care can vary in length from a few hours up to a maximum of two weeks at a time and is provided by people approved by us to be shared carers.
Shared carers are supported by a social worker who aims to make sure all arrangements run smoothly.
How shared care could work for you
If your assessed needs include shared care, you will be linked with a shared carer who can offer planned, flexible support either by
- Welcoming the person with a learning disability into their home for a day, an occasional weekend or a longer stay
- Going out with them on day trips, visits and leisure activities
- Sitting with the person in their own home to enable the main carer(s) to go out
What it might cost
If you receive overnight stays you will be charged for the shared care provided. There is a financial assessment to work out how much you will have to pay for any activities arranged during the care break. The shared carer receives a small payment for providing the care, which varies according to the amount of time involved. Find out about our direct payments scheme.
What kind of people are shared carers?
The carer can be from a variety of backgrounds, but will always have an interest in supporting people who have a learning disability. Shared carers might be single, married or living with a partner, with or without children.
We recruits and supports carers by
- Carefully assessing their suitability, making police and health checks and taking up personal references
- Providing training on a variety of topics including disability awareness and health and safety issues
- Keeping in regular contact by telephone calls, home visits and through newsletters
More about shared care
Contact us if you think you need the support shared care can offer. A social worker will arrange to visit you to talk about your situation and make an assessment of your needs. Your carers' needs will also be taken into account.
If shared care can meet your assessed needs and the  eligibility criteria (335 kb), you will be introduced to a suitable shared carer, subject to availability. You will then be given the opportunity to get to know each other at a place that suits all those involved.
The social worker will arrange regular reviews of the shared care to make sure the service meets your needs.
To view documents, you will need the Adobe Reader software installed on your computer. Download Adobe Reader here for free.
Contact
Shared care
Tel: 0845 600 1287
Southwark Health and Social Care
Woodmill Building
Neckinger
London
SE16 3QN |