Transitions information

Transitions information

Many young people in transition who move in to Shared Lives have previously been fostered.

Transition from fostering to Shared Lives – Shared Lives Plus guidance

Many young people in transition who move in to Shared Lives have previously been fostered. Although the principles of living with an individual or family in their home is the same, there are some important differences between Fostering and Shared Lives. The following information should clarify some of these differences:

Accommodation

  • Shared Lives providers are expected to provide accommodation which the person using Shared Lives will rent from the carer
  • the person will have their own key to the home.
  • as the person is renting the room from you they may ask for their room to be more personalised to their tastes
  • people living in Shared Lives cannot share their room with another person unless they are a couple and wish to do

Finance

  • the person will pay their rent, utilities and food directly to you from their benefits
  • the local authority will pay you a fee for the care and support you offer to the person. This is solely for you as a Shared Lives provider
  • the person will receive their benefits directly into their bank account. This includes Disability Living Allowance (DLA)/ Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • the person will be responsible for buying any personal possessions such as clothing, electronic equipment and holidays from their money
  • Shared Lives providers are classed as self-employed and are entitled to tax concessions
  • Shared Lives providers are required to keep records of any financial transactions between themselves and the person they are supporting – for example rent and household contribution, and present them when requested
  • Shared Lives providers can continue with their fostering role too, the Shared Lives scheme and fostering agency will work together to ensure the household is well supported to maintain both roles

Practical and appropriate support

  • Shared Lives providers will hold a contract with the local authority which sets out requirements for all parties
  • Shared Lives providers transporting people they support must have business insurance on their vehicle
  • Shared Lives providers are encouraged to take regular breaks throughout the year
  • the most important difference in Shared Lives to Fostering is supporting the young person in an age-appropriate way, as an adult rather than as a child
  • Shared Lives schemes are subject to different Regulations to foster care. They also have separate Regulators
  • Shared Lives is regulated in England by the Care Quality Commission and Fostering by Ofsted

Foster carers transitioning to be Shared Lives providers

Young people in transition experience a major change in moving from children’s to adult services.  It may provide a smoother transition for young people with support needs to remain with their foster carers and live as an adult in the household. This requires foster carers to become Shared Lives providers. This enables young people to continue to receive the care and support they require in a familiar environment with people who love and care about them.

Certain steps need to be followed to make this possible: 

  • the foster child needs to be assessed by an adult social worker as having eligible care and support needs to be funded as an adult, and it is their best interest to remain living with the foster carers
  • if the young person does not meet the eligibility criteria for adult social care, then a Staying Put arrangement maybe offered
  • Foster Carers need to apply to be assessed and approved as Shared Lives providers by a registered Shared Lives scheme. This may involve attending meetings and undertaking training. As foster carers are used to supporting individuals, they may not understand why the need to complete new assessments or training. Although Foster Care and Shared Lives have similarities, the aim of Shared Lives is to support young people to live as adults
  • the Shared Lives scheme will support foster carers to transition to Shared Lives by assessing their capacity and abilities to support the young person to have a life outside of the family home, connect the young person with their community and develop and grow as a young adult. The Shared Lives scheme will provide guidance and support to foster carers becoming Shared Lives providers
  • training may take place both pre-assessment and post assessment

Principles of good practice

  • the wishes and requirements of the person placed is central
  • good information must be provided to providers about Shared Lives 
  • carers registered with fostering and also Shared Lives will need support to be clear about their role with each person that they support
  • there is a need to ensure that effective communication takes place between children’s and adults care management teams throughout the transition period
  • good risk assessment and risk management is essential
  • Shared Lives schemes are subject to different Regulations to foster care. They also have separate Regulators.
  • Shared Lives is regulated in England by the Care Quality Commission and Fostering by Ofsted
  • the Shared Lives scheme will need to assess the suitability of the foster carer to be a Shared Lives carer. This will involve careful communication between the fostering agency and the Shared Lives scheme. The Shared Lives scheme assessment should take into account the foster carer assessment
  • considering the relative knowledge skills and qualification requirements of foster carers and Shared Lives carers
  • ensuring that the foster carer can provide evidence that they have the skills and knowledge to support adults.
  • level of respite support for Shared Lives carers and foster carers may differ
  • the scope of any existing Carer Public Liability Insurance will need to be looked at and fresh or amended cover obtained as appropriate
  • any implications related to DBS or other safeguarding checks both for Individuals in placement and members of the household  
  • who will fund the placement of the young person once they reach 18? Also consider the implications of any differential fee level and impact of benefits entitlement
  • the Benefits impact when the young person turns 18 needs to be considered both in terms of the impact on charges and on the foster family/Shared Lives family
  • providers need to be fully informed about the HMRC rules covering tax relief and National Insurance contributions for both Fostering and Shared Lives
  • any continued or joint use of any adaptations or special equipment to be considered

Useful documents

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