Open Your Home. Change a Life.
Become a Shared Lives Carer – Dumfries & Galloway
What if your spare room could become someone’s fresh start?
Across Dumfries & Galloway, young adults, adults and older people are looking for something many of us take for granted, stability, belonging and a safe place to call home.
That someone could be you.
Please be aware that to be eligible for this role you must already live within Dumfries and Galloway and have a spare room in your home!
Shared Lives Carers welcome an individual into their own home and support them as part of everyday life, sharing meals, routines, milestones, and the small daily victories that build confidence and independence.
This is not shift work.
This is not residential care.
This is supporting someone to live as part of a real home and community.
Before proceeding pleas be aware that to become a Shared Lives Carer there is an extensive application and vetting process which can take up to six months to complete.
This includes an initial application and home visit from our Shared Lives Co-Ordinator as well as extensive background checks including enhanced criminal checks and references.
A Professional Role — With Real Support
Shared Lives Carers are self-employed, providing full-time support within their home while being fully supported and managed by The Richmond Fellowship Scotland (TRFS).
You work from home — but you are never alone.
You will receive:
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A dedicated Shared Lives team
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Regular supervision
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24/7 on-call support
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Ongoing training and development
Full-time placements involve providing daily support within your home, with planned breaks and support arrangements built in. Payments are made weekly and are consistent for full-time arrangements.
We provide clear guidance and practical support to help you understand what being self-employed means.
What You will Receive
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£585.01 per week, per individual (full-time placement)
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Tax-efficient payments!
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Full preparation training before approval
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Ongoing professional support
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Structured matching to ensure compatibility.
Who Might You Support?
Placements across Dumfries & Galloway include:
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Adults with learning disabilities, autism, or mental health support needs
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Young adults transitioning into adult services from foster care or residential care.
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Parent and baby placements
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Older people, including reablement placements supporting recovery and independence.
Each placement is carefully matched to suit both your household and the individual. Stability, safety, and compatibility are essential.
Is This Right for You?
This role might suit you if you:
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Are thinking about retirement but still want meaningful purpose.
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Feel ready for a new chapter where your life experience can positively shape someone else’s future!
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Are looking for a meaningful second income from home.
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Want to work from home around family or caring commitments.
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Have a spare bedroom available solely for the person you support.
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Have the right to work in the UK.
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Are emotionally resilient, patient, and dependable.
This role can be deeply rewarding but it also requires commitment, patience, and stability.
All household members are included in the assessment process to ensure placements are safe and successful.
You do not need formal care qualifications, just the right values.
Many of our carers say this is the most rewarding role they have ever had.
A Supportive but Thorough Assessment
Because this role changes lives, we have a structured and supportive assessment process designed to help you feel confident and fully prepared.
This includes:
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Home assessment visits
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PVG and reference checks
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Values-based discussions
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Pre-approval training
The process is thorough, but you will be supported every step of the way.
Interested?
We are currently recruiting across Dumfries & Galloway.
Filling out the application on TRFS' website is the next step.
If this has made you stop and think, even for a moment, it is worth a conversation.
That spare room in your home could make all the difference to someone, and you may already have what it takes.
Closing Date - 02/09/26 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time)
