Practical considerations and financial arrangements

Practical Considerations

You, your family and your home environment are very important to us, but there are various practical and material factors that we need to take into consideration when making our assessment. These basic expectations are outlined as follows:

Bedrooms:

• Rooms should be single rooms, unless a couple in a relationship wish to share a room
• Bedding and soft furnishings should be provided
• Adequate hanging and drawer space for clothes are required
• There should be a shelf, or bedside cabinet, by the bed
• An easy chair should be provided in the room
• There should be a bedside lamp, or an opportunity to operate the main light from the bed
• Lampshades should be provided for all lights
• All furniture should be clean, and in good repair, and the room must be clean and in good decorative order
• Individuals should be allowed, and encouraged, to personalise their room with pictures, ornaments etc

Other rooms

Individuals should have access to a comfortable lounge, with a colour television, where there is sufficient seating for all those who may use the room.

There should be access to bath/shower and toilet facilities.

Locks must be provided on all bathroom doors, but it is advisable to fit safety locks which can be opened from the outside in the event of an emergency.

Heating and lighting

Adequate heating and lighting must be provided in all rooms, including hallways and landings. Depending on the individual’s needs heating may need to be provided during the day.

Fire precautions

There should be adequate smoke detectors in the house.

Gas/Electric Appliances

It is now a regulation, and a duty of the Shared Lives Carer, to ensure that these applications are maintained in a safe condition so as to prevent risk of injury to any person. We will need to see gas and electricity safety certificates. A carbon monoxide detector is also required.

Access to the house

The scheme user will need to have their own front door key and possibly their own bedroom door key. They must be enabled to feel that the accommodation is home, i.e. to be able to come and go as they please (within reasonable limits, and appropriate risk assessment), and to receive visitors at any reasonable time.

Meals

The scheme user will be given the opportunity to join the family for their regular meals if necessary with the support of the Shared Lives Carer. Choice around mealtimes and menus should be respected.

Telephone and Laundry

People should have access to a washing machine, and if necessary be supported to use this. In some cases the Shared Lives Carer will be expected to wash the person’s clothes.

There must be a phone which the person is able to use in private.

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).

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.