PSS Shared Lives

28/10/2026

A household full of happiness in the East

Our PSS Shared Lives East team had some wonderful feedback from three people who all live together with their Shared Lives carers Chloe and Ryan in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Here at PSS Shared Lives we often hold Tell Us sessions with the supported people in our service, giving them the opportunity to talk openly about how they are and how their life is with their carers. Shared Lives development worker Kelly recently held a session with some of the people we support, who all live in the same household.

Kelly said: ‘I recently did a visit, where we went out for coffee and supported them to say what they wanted to say about their carers. They all want to express how they feel about their carers Chloe and Ryan. I have also been asked to attach the photo I took of them with their carer Chloe who is expecting next month and the dog Bruce.’

You can find out what Chloe, Debbie and Connor had to say in our blog, details are in the comments.

26/10/2026

It's starting to look a bit spooky in the Midlands 👻

Our PSS Shared Lives Staffordshire team are all ready for halloween, the office has been taken over by lots of scary creatures and ghouls.

Do you decorate for halloween? If so, we'd love to see your photos in the comments!

22/10/2026

MYTH: I'll be left to get on with it on my own. Nope. We're not going to wave goodbye and disappear! Our Shared Lives team is there to support you.

We'll get to know you during your assessment, help prepare you for becoming a carer and give you training and support.

And that support doesn't suddenly stop once you've been approved. Being a Shared Lives carer might be something you do from your own home, but you're still part of a bigger team.

Questions? Worries? Something you need to talk through? We're here.

21/10/2026

Panel co-ordinator - Shared Lives UK
Location: National - work from home and nearest regional office
Salary: £27,174 per year (pro rata)
Hours: 15 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 3rd November 2026

Shared Lives is a bit like foster care but the big difference is that it’s for adults who want their own freedom and independence. Shared Lives carers empower people to be who they want to be and do what they want to do, caring for someone who lives with them or spends their days with them. There’s lots of different types of people using Shared Lives; it could be someone with a learning disability, mental health needs or people moving on from a different type of care.

What you'll be doing:
You’ll help our Shared Lives panels run smoothly across PSS’s Shared Lives schemes. You’ll organise meetings, support panel members, and help us keep the panel process fair, consistent, and well organised.

Shared Lives carers are assessed before they can be approved to provide support. Their approval is also reviewed. The panel gives these assessments an independent check and helps us make sure the process is thorough. This helps keep Shared Lives safe and effective for the people we support.

Link to apply in the comments below.

15/10/2026

MYTH: I need a big, perfect house.

Shared Lives isn't about having an Instagram-perfect home. It's about having a safe, welcoming place where someone can feel comfortable and included.

If you're offering support where someone stays overnight, you'll need a spare room. But you don't need a huge house or fancy furniture.

Real homes have mugs by the sink, washing on the radiator and people actually living in them. That's kind of the point.

Think you might have room in your home and your life for someone else? Come and talk to us about Shared Lives.

14/10/2026

08/10/2026

MYTH: Someone has to live with me full-time; that’s not always the case. Not every Shared Lives arrangement looks the same.

Some Shared Lives carers support someone who lives with them long-term. Others welcome someone into their home for short breaks, which could be a weekend or one week for example or offer support during the day. There are different ways to be a Shared Lives carer.

So, if you've thought, ‘I'd love to do something like that, but I couldn't have someone living with me all the time’, don't rule yourself out just yet.

Talk to us about what you could offer and we'll talk you through the options.

07/10/2026

Are you looking for your next role in Manchester?

Our Shared Lives Manchester service are looking for a new Shared Lives Development worker (carer recruiter).

Location: Cheadle Place, Stockport Road, Cheadle, SK8 2JX
Salary: £27,544 per year
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent

What you’ll do
As one of our Shared Lives development workers, you’ll have an important job to do – to develop the Shared Lives service in Manchester! Using your knowledge of care and support planning, you’ll put plans in place to help people we support have their needs met.

It will be your job to find, assess and recruit carers to work as self-employed PSS Shared Lives carers, and to be a Shared Lives ambassador, welcoming people into the service and helping us promote it whenever you can.

What is Shared Lives?
Shared Lives supports adults who need some extra help to live their lives, it's a bit like fostering for adults. This can include people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, physical disabilities, or other support needs.

If this job sounds like a bit of you, please follow the details in the comments to apply.

01/10/2026

MYTH: I need experience working in care. Never worked in care before? That doesn't mean you can't become a brilliant Shared Lives carer.

We're interested in you as a person. Are you patient? A good listener? Do you enjoy helping people? Can you make someone feel welcome and included? You might already have loads of skills that would make you a great Shared Lives carer without even realising it.

We'll guide you through the assessment process and give you training and support along the way. So don't let a lack of care experience stop you from asking.

Get in touch and let's find out whether Shared Lives could be for you.

30/09/2026

Meet Tom 👋

We shared a story about him last week, here is a video of him doing what he loves best! He is supported by our PSS Shared Lives East team in Norfolk. Every Wednesday, Tom heads to the Priscilla Bacon Shop - Dereham, Norfolkfor a morning of sorting stock, helping with deliveries and doing his favourite job, serving customers at the till.

For Tom, it’s not just volunteering. It’s his job 💚

It gives him more independence, helps him learn new skills and means he gets to meet lots of people along the way.

With support from Gavin, his support worker, Tom’s become a familiar face at the shop, and Wednesday mornings are something they both look forward to. You can read our blog about Tom, details in the comments!

Watch Tom in action 🎥