At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in your home, helping them live their best lives.
- Company: Join a caring community dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Generous allowance, training opportunities, and a supportive network.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in someone's life while enhancing your own skills.
- Qualifications: A spare room, time, and a passion for helping others.
Are you ready for a role where you can make a real difference? Our Shared Lives and Short Breaks service are looking for caring individuals across Ayrshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire & the Scottish Borders to become a Shared Lives and Short Breaks Carers.
The Role
Shared Lives is an essential service which provides short breaks, transitional and long-term arrangements to individuals aged from 16 who require care and support because of their disability, condition or support need. Sometimes likened to a Foster Carer, we help people who need some extra support to live in their own community, and live their life to full, without having to live alone. Stepping into this role, you would support the individual in your own home, including the person in your family and community life. This often leads to that individual naturally becoming a long-term part of a supportive family.
You are fully supported throughout the whole process as our Shared Lives team follow a careful matching process looking in a holistic way to pair you with someone we support. This ensures the person is comfortable and is given choice about who provides their support and you feel able to fully support the person. Once an arrangement is made, our Shared Lives team regularly visit carers to ensure they feel happy, confident and supported in their role.
Joining our Shared Lives community, you will be welcomed at regular carers’ forum meetings to meet with other carers and exchange ideas, share knowledge and experience.
Who can become a Shared Lives Carer?
If you have a spare room, the time and a passion for making a difference, then Shared Lives is for you. Shared Lives Carers come from all walks of life – some have worked as professional care workers, some are retired who don’t like a quiet home and others are parents with young children which means they can be at home with their children instead of going out to work. The one thing they have in common is that they are all enthusiastic about welcoming someone into their home and family life.
We are looking for people who have patience, empathy, a sense of humour and the ability to help individuals meet the challenges presented by everyday life. Our Shared Lives Carers are self-employed and receive a generous allowance with additional help towards household costs and have plenty of opportunities to enhance their professional development through Cornerstone’s award-winning Training Academy. But, more than that, as a Shared Lives Carer, you have the chance to make a real difference to the lives of others.
Interested in finding out more about Shared Lives and becoming a Shared Lives Carer? Then don't delay and contact our friendly team by emailing sharedlives@cornerstone.org.uk or give them a call on 01294 311723.
All Shared Lives Carers go through several mandatory checks as part of the assessment process, which includes an application form, home visits and an interview with our assessment panel. All Carers would also be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme through Disclosure Scotland.
Please note - If you have spent more than 12 months out with the UK (excluding France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania or Spain) within the last 10 years while over the age of 18, you will be asked to provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant government/police authority as part of our checks.
Shared Lives Carer in Glasgow employer: Cornerstone, Company
At Cornerstone, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture for our Shared Lives Carers across Ayrshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, and the Scottish Borders. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our award-winning Training Academy, ensuring that you not only receive a generous allowance but also have ample opportunities to develop professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those you support. Join us and become part of a community that values empathy, patience, and the joy of welcoming individuals into your home and family life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shared Lives Carer in Glasgow
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Cornerstone, Company.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Cornerstone, Company!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Cornerstone, Company, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Cornerstone, Company or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Cornerstone, Company:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cornerstone, Company! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cornerstone, Company
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
