In 1983 Marian Ferguson and her husband decided to become foster carers for Brian, a young boy with Downs Syndrome. Wind the clock forward 31 years to the present day – and Brian is still happily living with Marian. It’s a success story that has come about through Brighton & Hove City Council’s ‘Shared Lives’ scheme.
Shared Lives links up vulnerable adults with carers who provide support and accommodation in their own home. It’s like fostering, but for adults who need extra support rather than children. The Shared Lives team is looking for more carers. It can be either on a full-time, short-breaks or sessional basis.
Full training and support are provided. You receive a fee from the council based on the needs of each person you support.
Marian Ferguson had worked with children with disabilities since leaving school. After a stint running a children’s home in Coldean she decided to change tack, but still wanted to do something to help children with disabilities.
She originally met Brian, then aged eight, through a scheme called Be My Parent, which is run by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering.
For much of his childhood Brian was a student at Downs View school in Woodingdean – which was convenient for Marian as she was working there for a number of years. Then, when he turned 18, what started off as a fostering arrangement for a child turned into something much more long-term.
Marian says it was partly at the insistence of her two sons – who are only a couple of years older than Brian and who have always treated him as a brother – that they chose to carry on looking after Brian.
“We wanted to continue what was a very successful fostering arrangement into Brian’s adult life. With the support of the council’s Shared Lives scheme we’ve been able to do this.”
Marian says attitudes to people with Down’s Syndrome have changed a lot in the 31 years they have been supporting Brian.
“In those days many people thought Down’s Syndrome was something to be hidden away rather than spoken about. There were people who simply couldn’t understand why I had chosen to look after Brian. Things have definitely changed for the better since then.”
“We’re a pretty close-knit family and I get lots of support from my sons in particular, but it’s nice to know that the Shared Lives team is there to offer support when we need it.”
Brian leads a busy life. With support from the council’s adult social care team he attends a number of groups during the week.
These include a film group and history project and a recycling scheme. Brian also does some basic clerical work on Wednesdays in a council-supported scheme, and visits his girlfriend at a centre run by the council for people with learning disabilities.
Marian’s youngest son also takes Brian out somewhere most weekends.
It’s not all been easy for Marian and Brian. He has had some serious health problems as an adult, and the recent death of Marian’s husband – the man Brian treated as his father – was a big blow for both of them.
But there’s no doubt in Marian’s mind that having Brian living with her through the Shared Lives scheme has been one of the best things that’s happened to her.
“Shared Lives has been great for me. It’s been really rewarding and wonderful,” she says.
“My philosophy in life is to give things a go. Even if you only give a little bit of your time to something or someone it’s still a great thing to do.
“I think Shared Lives has been great for Brian as well. It’s given him the love, support and stability of a family that he might not otherwise have had. If anything my husband’s death has brought us even closer together.
“I love Brian as my own son and I love having him around the house. He treats me as his mother and there will always be a loving home for him here.”
Shared Lives representatives will be at Churchill Square today from 10.00 till 15.00 to speak to prospective carers in the city.
The scheme provides a means of support for adults who are unable to get by independently and places the adult with a carer who offers accommodation, care and support in their own home. In this way it’s similar to fostering.
Shared Lives providers train, support and pay carers to provide support in this way. Support can be provided full time, short breaks, respite or day activities.
All kinds of people can be Shared Lives carers: couples or singles, with or without children, home owners or tenants. An approved carer can support up to three adults at a time.
Carers are paid, trained and supported by the Shared Lives providers.
To become an approved Shared Lives carer you will need to
- take part in a selection process
- pass a Disclosure Barring Service check (formerly known as a CRB check)
- have reference checks
- receive training
If you are interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer, pop down to Churchill Square today to have a chat with representatives and if you can’t make it then you can contact one of the service providers:
Brighton & Hove Shared Lives
Call: 01273 295555
Email: [email protected]
Grace Eyre Foundation
Call: 01273 201903
Email: [email protected]
call (01273) 295550 for a friendly chat
email [email protected]
Shared Lives carers are not employed by the council, they are classed as self employed. Carers are not paid by the hour and they do not work to a fixed schedule but are paid in line with the expectations set out in a Shared Lives arrangement agreement.
Shared Lives carers are under no obligation to agree to any care and support arrangement offered and shouldn’t do not employ staff to help them provide care.
Because Shared Lives carers are self employed, they are responsible for making their own tax and national insurance payments. They are eligible for the Shared Lives tax break.
Both providers of Shared Lives – Brighton & Hove Shared Lives and Grace Eyre Foundation – are registered with the Care Quality Commission so the quality of the service is regularly monitored.
Carers are fully supported and are also monitored during placements. The registered manager of each Shared Lives provider is responsible for the quality and safety of care and support in every Shared Lives arrangement.
