Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Mercedes Apps (Shared Lives Team Leader).

The Area Board received a presentation from Amy Smith (Shared Lives Manager) about Shared Lives. The presentation covered the following points:

·       It was outlined that the purpose of the Shared Lives Service is to help people to live as part of a family, within a carer’s home, where they would receive the support or care that they need.

·       The service places adults who have mental health needs or learning disabilities, physical impairments, or are elderly, or those who, for a variety of reasons, cannot manage to live independently without support.

·       It was outlined that the scheme has been in situ in Wiltshire for over 40 years, providing both short-term respite and long-term placements for individuals.

·       An example of positive customer feedback was provided, featuring a lady who had been supported for 25 years.

·       The criteria of becoming a Shared Lives Carer were outlined, with the main points being carers need to be over 18, have a spare room with no qualifications needed with carers also able to combine the role with other work commitments.

·       It was outlined that there are three bands of payment depending on the need of the customers which would be provided following an approval process.

·       The presentation included the followingVideo and news article from ITV West Country, which demonstrated the positive work of the Shared Lives Service.

·       The following email address:sharedlives@wiltshire.gov.uk and phone number: 01380 826451 was provided for anyone who might be interested in the scheme. A poster for the Shared Lives Service had also been included in the agenda.

·       Amy Smith extended an invite to members of the Area Board to attend their Christmas event on 16 December 2022 and that also there would be a Shared Lives event in the new year.

Following the presentation there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       It was clarified that caseloads are generally allocated to a team member who covers that geographical area. However, usually the whole team tends to make contributions to each individual case.

·       It was clarified that currently the team has one vacancy (long-term), after which the team would not be able to take any more referrals, which is why the service is very keen to recruit more carers.

·       It was outlined that last year the scheme had 48 carers supporting 53 residents, with the maximum allocation to each carer being 3 residents. Last year between 30-40 referrals were placed a month, with an average of 85% of these accepted. It was also stated how cost effective the service is for the Council.

·       It was stated that it has been difficult to find a home for some of the residents due to a lack of awareness for the scheme. It was therefore suggested that the Area Board promote and make people aware of the Shared Lives Service.

·       It was questioned whether the service included those with mental health needs, to which it was clarified that many referrals do come from the mental health team and that paper referral forms can also be sent out toresidents.