I'm a care leaver
Are you preparing to leave care and nearly 18?
Have you been assessed under the Care Act with a care needs assessment? If not please contact First Point of Contact - adults who require first-time help, support or advice about social care can contact us on 0345 678 9044.
Shared Lives provides young people leaving care with a structured, supportive transition into adulthood within a stable family home environment, offering an alternative to more isolated or institutional forms of support. Individuals are matched with a Shared Lives carer who provides consistent guidance, emotional support and practical assistance to help them develop essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, managing a tenancy, and accessing education, training or employment. This approach promotes independence at a pace that suits the individual, while maintaining a safe and nurturing environment that reduces the risks often associated with leaving care, such as social isolation or placement breakdown.
Support is tailored to the young person’s needs, aspirations and experiences, ensuring they feel valued, respected and included in family and community life. Risk is managed through clear planning and regular review, enabling positive risk-taking and growth in confidence.
Are you in foster care and want to stay supported in a home based-environment or to stay with your foster carers? Are you a foster carer who wants to continue to support a child you foster into adulthood?
Shared Lives provides a supportive and gradual transition for young people moving on from foster care into adulthood, offering a stable and family-based living environment that bridges the gap between supported and independent living. Individuals are matched with a Shared Lives carer who provides consistent emotional and practical support, helping them develop essential life skills such as managing finances, maintaining a home, accessing education or employment, and building confidence.
This approach promotes continuity of relationships, reduces the risk of isolation, and supports young people to progress at their own pace while maintaining choice and independence. The model encourages positive risk-taking within a safe and structured environment, ensuring that support remains responsive to changing needs as independence increases.
Interested?
Contact us online to find out more