Shared Lives Carer

Do you have some time to care? You could make a world of difference.

Have your children flown the nest? Are you retired or approaching retirement? Maybe you have a spare room or a little more time and would love to do something meaningful in your community. We’d love to hear from you!

You could use that space and time to help someone else feel at home.

Our Shared Lives and Short Breaks service is looking for caring, compassionate people across the Scottish Borders to become Shared Lives and Short Breaks Carers.

What is Shared Lives?

Shared Lives is a rewarding service that supports individuals aged from 16 who need additional care and support because of a disability, condition or other support need.

You could provide full-time (live in) arrangement, short breaks (respite/overnight support) if you have a spare room. Alternatively, if you don’t have a spare room, you could still provide day support (a few hours) for someone who wants to live in their community and enjoy life with the right support around them.

It’s a little like fostering — but for adults.

As a Shared Lives Carer, you’d welcome someone into your own home and your everyday life. You might share a meal, watch a film, head out for the day, or simply provide the companionship and support that helps someone feel confident, included and at home.

And while every arrangement is different, what starts as support can often grow into a genuine and lasting relationship.

You don’t have to be a care professional. What matters most is that you are caring, patient, reliable and open to making a difference.

Our experienced Shared Lives team will support you every step of the way. We take time to get to know you, understand your home and lifestyle, and carefully match you with someone whose needs and personality are a good fit.

The person you support is also involved in the matching process, so everyone has a say in who they share their life with.

You’re never on your own.

Once an arrangement begins, our dedicated Shared Lives team continues to support you through regular visits and ongoing guidance. You’ll also become part of our Shared Lives community, with regular carers’ forums where you can meet other carers, share experiences, exchange ideas and build connections with people who understand what you do.

Our Shared Lives Carers are self-employed and receive a generous allowance with additional help towards household costs and have plenty of opportunities to enhance their professional development through Cornerstone’s award-winning Training Academy.

Whether you’re retired, an empty nester, working from home, or simply have a spare room and the time to support someone, we’d love to hear from you.

Could Shared Lives be right for you?

Interested in finding out more about Shared Lives and becoming a Shared Lives Carer?

Then don't delay and contact our friendly team by emailing [email removed] or give them a call on [phone removed].

All Shared Lives Carers go through several mandatory checks as part of the assessment process, which includes an application form, home visits and an interview with our assessment panel. All Carers would also be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme through Disclosure Scotland.

Please note - If you have spent more than 12 months out with the UK (excluding France, Germany. Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania or Spain) within the last 10 years while over the age of 18, you will be asked to provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant government/police authority as part of our checks.