Shared lives carer: adult living in your home
Share your home and family life with an adult who needs support, as a self-employed carer approved by a local scheme.
- £0-3k
- Part-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
16,313 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 87900 “Other residential care activities n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Often called Shared Lives or adult placement. You are approved to have an adult with learning disabilities, mental health needs or age-related needs live with you as part of your household. You give everyday support, company and a stable home, and you work with a local scheme that matches you with the right person.
Your first three steps
- Find Shared Lives schemes covering your area and ask about their carer recruitment and approval process
- Check that you have a suitable spare room and talk through the commitment with everyone in your household
- Attend an information session and start the application, which includes checks, references and training
Who pays
Usually the local council through an approved Shared Lives scheme, sometimes alongside a contribution from the person or their family.
How it makes money
You receive a regular carer payment for the support you give. The person normally also pays a separate amount towards rent and food. Payments depend on the person's needs and your local scheme.
Skills that help
- Patience and warmth
- Reliable and good at routines
- Respecting independence and privacy
- Working with social workers and families
Watch out for
- Approval can take months and involves background checks, home assessment and training, so plan for a wait before any income
- Check how the scheme is regulated where you live, as rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Ask the scheme about insurance cover and what it provides for carers
- Carers are usually self-employed, so check your tax position with HMRC, including any special reliefs for this type of carer
- Check with your landlord or mortgage lender before taking someone into your home
- The role is a long-term, live-in commitment that affects your whole household and privacy
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: shared Lives carer: adult living in your home
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to become a Shared Lives carer?
Startup costs are typically around £0 to £3,000, depending on what your home needs and what your local scheme requires. Ask the scheme about insurance cover and what it provides for carers.
How much can a long-term Shared Lives carer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,200 to £4,000, depending on your scheme and the needs of the person you support. Carers are usually self-employed, so check your tax position with HMRC.
What should I check before applying to become a Shared Lives carer?
Approval can take months and involves background checks, a home assessment and training, so plan for a wait before any income. Rules differ across the UK nations, and you should check with your landlord or mortgage lender.
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