Shared lives short breaks and day support carer

Usually local councils through an approved Shared Lives scheme, and sometimes families using personal budgets.

You are paid per session or per night by the scheme, so income depends on how many breaks you offer and how often they are booked.

• Friendly and flexible
• Planning activities and meals
• Good communication with families
• Calm in changing situations

• Approval involves checks, a home assessment and training, so income may take months to start
• Demand for short breaks varies by area and can be uneven, so ask the scheme what to expect
• Check what insurance the scheme provides and whether you need your own cover
• Carer payments are usually self-employed income, so check your tax and benefits position with HMRC
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender, and tell your home insurer
• Rules and regulators differ across the UK nations, so check with your local scheme

Startup costs are typically around £0 to £1,500, depending on your home and what your local scheme requires. Check what insurance the scheme provides and whether you need your own cover.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £200 to £1,000, depending on how many day sessions or short stays you offer. Demand varies by area, so ask your scheme what to expect and check your tax and benefits position with HMRC.

Approval involves checks, a home assessment and training, so income may take months to start. Rules and regulators differ across the UK nations, so check with your local scheme, your landlord or mortgage lender, and tell your home insurer.