Pre Tender Engagement Paper - Provision of a Shared Lives Service for Health and Social Care (HSC) Northern Ireland (NI)

Shared Lives is an arrangement where members of the community are recruited and trained as self-employed Host Carers to people, 65 years plus, in need of support. Time to care for others is essential and full training and support is provided to enable you to offer this valuable service. Host Carers will share their home, lives, families, interests and experiences in order to support the Service User to live fulfilled lives in the community. Support is provided within a safe and stable home and family life. Time spent with a Host Carer can range from a few hours during the day or evening, during the week or weekends, to a short overnight break or long term care arrangement hence offering flexible work patterns. Shared Lives is an alternative to day opportunities, short breaks in a care home, or long term care. Providers will be required to deliver a Shared Lives service for individuals who are actively in receipt of HSC services aged 65+ who live in the Trust area, based on assessed need. Providers will be expected to;

• Publicise the service and recruit Host Carers
• Assess, background check in line with Access NI and train Host Carers
• Receive referrals from the Health and Social Care Trust and promote the service
• Match Service User to Host Carer and closely monitor thereafter