Financial arrangements

Financial Arrangements

Work as a Shared Lives Carer is on a self-employed basis, with the Shared Lives Scheme providing support and monitoring the placement.  You would be responsible for your tax and National Insurance liabilities, and for providing adequate insurance.

Payment will be made up from a number of different elements and can come from different sources.  Usually payment is received for care and support, rent, and daily living expenses.  For short breaks there will be a fixed payment for care and a contribution for living costs.  It will depend on how the placement is funded as to whom you will receive payment from; it may be the individual or the scheme.  The placement could be funded, in part or whole from the following options:

• Housing Benefit
• County Council, via Shared Lives Scheme
• Directly from the person
• Supporting People

Payments are made monthly.  Please refer to the care banding payments model for the Shared Lives Scheme for more details.  There are weekly payments for different levels of care and support ranging from low to complex.  During periods of respite the main Shared Lives Carer will receive half of the care element fee plus any housing benefit entitlement.  The respite Shared Lives Carer will receive the full care element fee plus ineligible rent (a fixed rent for the cost of food, gas etc) of £51.65.

If you are involved in handling an individual’s personal allowance, you will be required to obtain and keep receipts of all payments made to them, or on their behalf.

The Care Manager/Social Worker will ensure that appropriate benefit applications are made.  Where appropriate this task may be delegated to the Shared Lives Carer.

Carers are expected to keep an accurate weekly record of all cheques and cash received in payment, including dates covered.

Shared Lives Carers wishing to leave the Shared Lives Scheme must give one months notice, in writing, to the Shared Lives Scheme.