Last Updated: May 1, 2026
New national data has been released showing that Shared Lives continues to grow across the UK despite pressures on adult social care. The programme supports nearly 10,000 people through personalised, relationship-based care.
The State of Shared Lives 2024-25 report collates four years of consistent national data from Shared Lives schemes across the UK. It offers a clear picture of how the programme is developing, diversifying and responding to the changing needs.
The report includes an overview of the UK as a whole alongside nation-specific reports for Scotland and Wales. It provides insight into how Shared Lives is being used locally during a period of rising demand, workforce challenges and issues surrounding constrained budgets.
Ewan King, Chief Executive of Shared Lives Plus, said, ‘This report shows clearly that Shared Lives is a model that works. Even under sustained pressure across adult social care, it has proven its ability to grow, adapt and deliver high-quality, relationship-based support in communities across the UK. Four years of national data now give us strong evidence of a model that is stable under pressure, adaptable to local priorities and – crucially – has significant untapped potential to do more when it is backed by intentional commissioning and investment.’
In 2024-25, Shared Lives supported 9,898 people across the UK, with growth continuing in several nations and regions. For example, the report highlights that Scotland saw a growth of 4% in the number of people supported over the past year through the programme.
Live-in arrangements remain central to the Shared Lives programme, supporting 58% of people. However, the data in the report shows continued growth in short breaks (27%) and day support (17%), reflecting how Shared Lives schemes are responding to the different needs and priorities of the local community.
People with a learning disability continue to make up the largest group supported by the programme. However, Shared Lives is increasingly supporting older people, people with sensory impairments and people needing preventative or transitional support.
The report shows that the number of approved Shared Lives carers has increased by 13% over the four-year period, rising from 9,226 in 2021-22 to 10,406 in 2024-25. In addition to the growing number of Shared Lives carers, more carers are offering short breaks, helping to increase flexibility for families and unpaid carers.
Alongside the growing number of carers, the Shared Lives workforce has also grown which helps to support continuity and quality at the local level.
For the first time, the report provides a picture of care leavers moving into Shared Lives on a national level. In 2024-25, 351 transitions were recorded. Most of these were involving young people moving from foster care into Shared Lives with an existing carer.
Mary Stokes, Project Officer for the Young People Leaving Care programme, said, ‘Starting to collect national data on care leavers moving into Shared Lives is an important step. It allows us to begin seeing patterns and pathways that weren’t visible before, and to build a stronger evidence base for why a ‘Shared Lives first’ approach can work for young people leaving care’.
In England, early analysis shows that targeted investment is driving expansion. Areas using Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) funding supported 317 additional people, accounting for 60% of national growth in England last year.
Suzi Clark, who leads the Strategic Advice and Development team, reflected, ‘What this data allows us to do is start to see how targeted investment is reflected in Shared Lives growth on the ground. Where funding has been available, we’re seeing increases in capacity and in the number of people supported. That emerging picture reinforces the importance of backing Shared Lives as part of wider system reform.’
You can read the full report here.
To find a Shared Lives programme in your area, search ‘Shared Lives’ at www.carechoices.co.uk/find-care-services-near-you
In other news, The Government has announced a £50 million boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to help thousands of older and disabled people live independently.
