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Posted 1 day(s) ago
Reference: VP9B39300A
Job summary
Shared Lives Carer (Self-Employed) Could you make a difference by supporting someone in your own home? Oxfordshire Shared Lives is looking for compassionate, reliable and supportive individuals to become Shared Lives Carers. This rewarding self-employed opportunity enables you to provide personalised support to an adult who needs help with day-to-day living while offering them the opportunity to be part of a welcoming family household. As a Shared Lives Carer, you may support someone for occasional short breaks, day support, or through a long-term live-in arrangement. The people supported by the scheme may have learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical disabilities, age-related support needs or be young people leaving care. No previous social care experience is required. What matters most is a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, a spare bedroom and the desire to help someone achieve greater independence and fulfilment. Full training, assessment and ongoing support are provided by the Shared Lives team. Shared Lives Carers are self-employed and receive weekly payments ranging from £417 to £568 per person supported, with favourable tax arrangements available for Shared Lives providers. This is a unique opportunity to earn an income while making a life-changing difference to someone in your community.
Main duties of the job
As a Shared Lives Carer, you will provide personalised support to an adult within your own home, helping them develop independence, confidence and life skills while becoming part of a supportive household environment. You will offer practical and emotional support tailored to the individual's needs, enabling them to live a more fulfilling and independent life.
About us
Oxfordshire Shared Lives is a unique, community-based support service delivered by Oxfordshire County Council. The scheme matches adults who need support with approved Shared Lives Carers who provide care, companionship and encouragement within their own homes. The aim is to help people live as independently as possible while enjoying the stability, inclusion and sense of belonging that comes from being part of a family household. Supporting people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical disabilities, older adults and young people leaving care, Shared Lives offers an alternative to traditional care settings by providing personalised support tailored to each individual's needs and aspirations. The service is committed to helping people achieve their goals, develop confidence and enjoy fulfilling lives within their communities.
Details
Date posted
18 September 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£21,684 to £29,536 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
VP9B39300A
Job locations
Oxfordshire
OX149NZ
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme supports people to become carers and provide paid care in their own home to adults who need some help and support with day-to-day life. The assistance needed can vary a great deal depending on the individual.The aim is, as far as possible, to enable people to live the kind of life they choose, in an ordinary household.
People who use the service need practical and emotional support to live their lives more fully and independently and feel part of a family household.They may have mental health difficulties, a learning disability, physical health needs, be an older person needing extra help, or a young person leaving care requiring continued support.
We are keen to recruit people from all backgrounds who feel they can offer this type of paid support in their own home. Shared Lives Carers are approved with the County Council and work on a Self -employed basis. This means that you can still do your day job if preferred or, focus on working from home and offer someone anything from occasional short breaks through to a longer-term, full-time arrangement whereby someone lives with you. You don't need to have had previous experience in Social Care but you do need to have a positive approach, be willing to learn , have a spare bedroom and be comfortable sharing your home. There is a training and assessment process and you will be fully supported by the Shared Lives Scheme.
Shared Lives Carers are paid a sessional rate . The weekly rates per person you support are £417- £568. There are special tax arrangements for Shared Lives Carers.This means that you can be earning up to £40,000 in this role without needing to pay tax on this income
f you have questions or doubts about whether you would be suitable, then please do contact the Shared Lives Scheme on 01865897971 so we can talk it through with you.
The support you could give can make a huge difference to the lives of people using the service, often enabling them to experience new opportunities, reach new goals and live their best life.
Sharing your life can change a life . and you could be just the person we are looking for!
Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce.Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.
If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme supports people to become carers and provide paid care in their own home to adults who need some help and support with day-to-day life. The assistance needed can vary a great deal depending on the individual.The aim is, as far as possible, to enable people to live the kind of life they choose, in an ordinary household.
People who use the service need practical and emotional support to live their lives more fully and independently and feel part of a family household.They may have mental health difficulties, a learning disability, physical health needs, be an older person needing extra help, or a young person leaving care requiring continued support.
We are keen to recruit people from all backgrounds who feel they can offer this type of paid support in their own home. Shared Lives Carers are approved with the County Council and work on a Self -employed basis. This means that you can still do your day job if preferred or, focus on working from home and offer someone anything from occasional short breaks through to a longer-term, full-time arrangement whereby someone lives with you. You don't need to have had previous experience in Social Care but you do need to have a positive approach, be willing to learn , have a spare bedroom and be comfortable sharing your home. There is a training and assessment process and you will be fully supported by the Shared Lives Scheme.
Shared Lives Carers are paid a sessional rate . The weekly rates per person you support are £417- £568. There are special tax arrangements for Shared Lives Carers.This means that you can be earning up to £40,000 in this role without needing to pay tax on this income
f you have questions or doubts about whether you would be suitable, then please do contact the Shared Lives Scheme on 01865897971 so we can talk it through with you.
The support you could give can make a huge difference to the lives of people using the service, often enabling them to experience new opportunities, reach new goals and live their best life.
Sharing your life can change a life . and you could be just the person we are looking for!
Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce.Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us onLinkedIn,Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.
If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Oxfordshire
OX149NZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Oxfordshire
OX149NZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)