At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents to live independently and recruit caring Shared Lives carers.
- Company: Join Croydon Council, a community-focused employer dedicated to inclusion and empowerment.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, hybrid options, and a commitment to your professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while promoting dignity and well-being.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable adults and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Croydon Council is seeking a committed and skilled Shared Lives Co-ordinator to join our Shared Lives Service, supporting residents to live fulfilled, independent lives within shared family and community environments. In this role, you will recruit, assess, and support Shared Lives carers, ensuring high-quality support and safe, person-centred placements for adults with a range of support needs. You will work in partnership with carers, residents, families, internal teams and external agencies to deliver a service that meets CQC standards and reflects our values of inclusion, independence, and dignity. This role is central to ensuring our Shared Lives carers provide safe, supportive, and enriching home environments that promote well-being, choice, and personal development for residents.
Responsibilities
- Recruit, assess, approve and support Shared Lives carers in line with CQC requirement
- Monitor and review placements to ensure high-quality support aligned to individual plans and risk assessments
- Match service users to appropriate carers, ensuring needs and preferences are fully considered
- Prepare and present carer assessments and reviews to Shared Lives Panel
- Lead on placement planning meetings, reviews, and safeguarding responsibilities
- Conduct home visits (planned and unannounced) to ensure compliance and support carers
- Maintain accurate case management, records and documentation in line with statutory and Council policies
- Address issues, complaints and safeguarding concerns, escalating appropriately
- Support service users to express views and participate in decisions about their support
- Work collaboratively with care managers, finance teams, benefits advisers, health professionals, and other stakeholders
- Promote the Shared Lives model within the council and local community to grow the scheme
Qualifications
- Experience working with vulnerable adults and understanding of adult social care practice
- Strong assessment and report-writing skills, with the ability to analyse information and make informed decisions
- Knowledge of CQC requirements, safeguarding and relevant legislation
- Ability to build effective relationships with carers, residents, families, and multi-disciplinary partners
- Confident communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to challenge and support constructively
- Ability to manage a caseload, prioritise and work proactively to meet deadlines
- Strong IT skills and willingness to use social care systems (e.g., LAS / SharePoint)
- Commitment to equalities, empowerment, person-centred practice and continuous service improvement
- Ability to travel across the borough and occasionally work outside standard hours
Additional Requirements
The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will consider applicants seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As a company part of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Shared Lives Co-ordinator employer: Croydon Council
Croydon Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its Shared Lives Co-ordinators. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the council offers flexible working arrangements and promotes a culture of collaboration and empowerment, ensuring that staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working here means being part of a team that values dignity, independence, and the well-being of both employees and residents alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shared Lives Co-ordinator
✨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 Croydon Council.
✨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 Croydon Council!
✨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 Croydon Council, 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 Croydon Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Shared Lives Co-ordinator
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 Croydon Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Croydon Council! 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 Croydon Council
✨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.
