Homeshare for Families

Information for Families considering the support of a Home Sharer

Share and Care’s homeshare scheme can also support busy Families who would benefit from low-cost practical help and companionship for children/young adults with physical disabilities and learning difficulties such as Autism, ADHD and Down’s Syndrome. The Sharer offers practical support in the home which may include occasionally accompanying the young person to activities, or being a friend/mentor/chaperone to other children in the family, thereby offering some respite to parents.

Who our service helps

The scheme works in the same way as our service for the elderly; it is an affordable, live-in, low-cost service to offer some practical support in the home,  such as putting bins out, cooking a few meals, light housework plus some companionship to some one in the family, maybe a child or young adult. Some families also appreciate the benefit of the Sharer as a house and pet-sitter if they go away on holiday.

Share and Care specialises in introducing live-in Sharers to Householders and Families. Because the Sharer lives with the Family under the terms of a Homeshare Licence Agreement, the Sharer [licensee] has no tenancy rights nor any employment rights as there is neither a tenancy agreement nor an employment relationship between the two parties.

 Share and Care’s homeshare scheme is a very low cost option of having this help priced at just £5.50 per day. In addition, because the Sharer is responsible for paying for his/her own food and personal items, there aren’t any ‘hidden’ costs.

How it works

Based on the idea of exchange, the Family offers a bedroom and the use of their home’s facilities to the Sharer (the person who lives with them) in return for up to 10 hours a week of practical help and support – normally given over the course of four evenings during the week plus a few hours at the weekends. The light tasks usually include cooking a few meals, light cleaning, shopping, gardening, tech support with emails/phones, and other small DIY jobs plus 5 hours of being in the home to offer (sleeping babysitting, occasional outing with the child/young adult,  watching TV with the child/young adult or playing on a game console together).  The Families property becomes the Sharer’s home for the duration of the agreement. In return for this, the Sharer agrees to sleep in the house for at least six nights a week – although it is their home for all seven nights – and to offer the additional support at other times during the day or early evening.

Please note: The Sharer is not permitted to give any personal or nursing care to the person they live with. If personal care is required, a homeshare can sit alongside a care package from a personal care agency.

The Sharer, who will usually be 24 years old or over, continues his/her regular job or studies during the day.  We look for Sharers who are friendly and caring and who would welcome the opportunity of affordable accommodation and making new friends.

Who it works for

This service helps Families who are looking for low cost help and perhaps an alternative to the traditional au pair or care route. It helps Families who need some general help around the home and because perhaps they have a child or young adult with special needs or a disability who may need a companion/mentor/helper. The scheme is an ideal way to support the parents and other children within the family.

Why it works

Share and Care pays great attention to the personalities of the Families who are looking for help, and works hard in a professional, yet friendly manner to find Sharers who have suitable practical experience and availability as well as similar interests so that they can give the required support and also so that genuine friendships can develop. 

Where it works

Share and Care offers a service across mainland UK. In locations outside major cities or large towns, it may take longer to find the right Sharer and in some rural locations it may not be possible to find a suitable Sharer at all.

Choosing your Sharer

When matching a Family with a Sharer, the Agency starts by finding out as much as possible about the Family. Share and Care then performs a rigorous interview process and vetting process with the potential Sharer to assess their suitability and compatibility. Share and Care ensures Sharers have an in-date DBS check [Disclosure Barring Service] or applies for one for them, and personally contacts a minimum of two referees. When introducing a potential Sharer, Share and Care will first provide the Family with a written synopsis, including references, of the Sharer applicant. The Family then meets the potential Sharer to see how they get on. Referees may also be contacted by the Family. If the Family offers the homeshare to the Sharer, at that stage we draw up the Homeshare Licence Agreement. After the Sharer has moved in, Share and Care continues to keep in regular contact with both parties to ensure the arrangement is satisfactory and offer advice, if required.

Costs

Both the *Family and the Sharer make a nominal monthly contribution to Share and Care Homeshare for the duration of the match. As Share and Care Homeshare does not receive any external funding, these contributions go towards running the service. For the Family, this includes finding, vetting and matching a Sharer and keeping the arrangement under the Homeshare Licence agreement. We will keep in touch and are available for advice and support if needed. For the Sharer, they are vetted, matched and introduced to a Family and benefit from the low- priced accommodation under the Homeshare Licence arrangement. There is no exchange of money between the Family and the Sharer (except reimbursement of shopping, and, in some cases a nominal, capped, contribution to Utilities etc).

Fee for Sharer Service:

• £165 inc VAT, which is £5.50 per day.

We ask our Sharers to be able to commit to the homeshare for at least 12 months. Most arrangements last for at least a year and many for several years. However, we understand that situations can change on both sides, and a 4 week notice period is included in all agreements.

*  A non-refundable Families Registration Fee of £90 inc VAT payable at time of registration. This fee covers up to a 6 month search although in most cases a Sharer is found much sooner.

The Sharer is normally responsible for paying for his / her own food and phone bills.

Length of share

We undertake to look for Sharers who will be in a position to commit to living with the Family for at least one year and most arrangements last for a year or longer. However, we understand that situations can change on both sides and a 4 weeks’ notice period is included in all agreements.

We are here to help

During a homeshare we provide light-touch support to both the Householder and their Sharer if needed, and will contact both parties on a regular basis. However, our professional and friendly team is always at the end of the phone to provide help. If, for some reason, the arrangement encounters difficulties, all parties can be reassured that Share and Care Homeshare has the knowledge and expertise to give appropriate advice and help to seek a resolution.

We offer all our clients a free place in our weekly Seated Exercise class led by a trained Fitness instructor, this is a great opportunity to interact with other members of the Share and Care community. Our clients also receive a regular newsletter with information and activities.

Homeshare not quite right?

Unity Living- Helpful Housemates has been developed for those Householders who don’t require as much help and support as a Homeshare offers but who would still value a carefully matched and vetted lodger who will pay some rent and can also offer up to 5 hours of support and friendship each week.

Click here for further information