Frequently asked questions

Shared Lives carers can expect regular support from Ategi, both face to face, on-line and over the phone. We will provide ongoing advice, as well as practical and emotional support. Shared Lives carers will be given training throughout their time to ensure Ategi provide the best possible support. Some of this will be required, and other training opportunities will be additional depending on the carers skills and needs, and the person the carer is supporting.

It is very important that everyone involved is clear about what they want and what they can offer. A big part of our work will be to try and match you with an adult who has similar interests and lifestyle. This may mean that finding the right person for you to support in your home will take longer. We try to make sure our carers are only introduced to people we think are a good match. Once we've found a suitable match, we arrange for everyone to meet each other to see how they get on. This may take several visits, but Ategi will ensure that both parties feel comfortable with the idea before Shared Lives agreements are made. The final choice lies with the individual and the Shared Lives carer.

Safeguarding Adults means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect

Most adults are in a position to protect themselves but those who are not are defined as an adult at risk.

An adult at risk is an adult who:

• Has needs of care and support
• Is experiencing, or at risk, of abuse or neglect and
• As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Everybody is responsible for safeguarding adults. As a Shared Lives carer you will have training in safeguarding. You will need to follow our Safeguarding Children and Adults Policy and Procedure. You will need to be alert to concerns and report those concerns.

Social care services, police and the health services have a legal responsibility to take any action required and provide appropriate services to protect individuals at risk of harm.

If people feel unhappy with their Shared Lives arrangement, as a first measure, we would try to talk through any problems and see if they can be resolved this way. If we cannot find a solution, we will end the arrangement and look for an alternative. It is very important that both the Shared Lives carer and the person using the service are completely happy with the arrangement and that the experience is a positive one.

A Shared Lives "arrangement" is whatever type of support that the Shared Lives carer is providing to the adult they support, whether that be Shared Days, Short Breaks or live-in Shared Lives. Depending on the type of support you're offering is referred to as the "arrangement".

Not at all! The type of arrangement you choose is flexible to you. You might start off offering Shared Days, where someone comes and spends the day with you; or you could offer Short Breaks/respite, where you someone stays with you for 1+ days. It's flexible to you.

The assessment process is put in place to identify an individual’s unique qualities, experiences and any transferable skills that they may have.

Having a background in care is desirable but no more so than having an understanding of how people’s values and beliefs inform the life they lead and the choices that they make.

You will get full support from an assessor who will lead you through the process at your own pace whilst giving you the training that you need.

Whilst is is a formal process, we work hard to make it easy and your assessor will help ensure that you are relaxed and ready for any questions or discussions.

In fact most meetings are usually carried out over a cuppa! When the assessment is complete it will go to a panel where it will be decided if you have the abilities that we need.