What Is Futures for Shared Lives?

Futures For Shared Lives is an alternative to traditional residential or supported housing services for adults who are not ready to leave their current fostering family. These are young people transitioning into adult services but remaining with their previous carers.

Every arrangement is tailored to the individual, focusing on strengths, independence, and personal goals and every arrangement lasts for as long as the supported adult needs it and the family are able to offer it.

A supportive, family-based adult service – proudly connected to our fostering agency values

Futures For Shared Lives is a shared lives adult service, built on the same trusted foundations as the Futures Group of independent fostering agencies: stable homes, meaningful relationships, and person‑centred support. We believe that adults thrive best when they feel they truly belong, and we create opportunities for people to live ordinary lives in welcoming family homes within their local community.

Why Futures For Shared Lives?

FFSL is directly connected to our fostering agency, sharing the same ethos and standards that have supported families for years.

Shared Lives arrangements are a natural progression from our fostering households who wish to provide continued stability to the young people in their care.

Our shared values

Relationship‑led care – genuine, lasting connections
Safe, nurturing homes – stability and trust at the centre
Person‑centred planning – support shaped around the individual
Community inclusion – ordinary lives in ordinary communities

By combining our fostering expertise with adult social care, we offer a unique, family‑based alternative that feels natural, respectful, and empowering.

Who We Support

We support adults aged 18+ who may:

Have a learning disability
Be autistic
Have additional physical or mental health needs
Need a family‑based alternative to residential care
Need additional time within the family to prepare for an independent life in the community

We work closely with the carers, the young adult and their local authorities to ensure the right level of support is available

Being a Shared Lives Carer

Our carers will:

Offer a safe and welcoming home environment
Support daily living, routines, and wellbeing
Build supportive, respectful relationships
Be part of a professional service with strong family values

We provide:

Comprehensive assessment and preparation training
Ongoing commitment to learning and development of our carers
Ongoing supervision and 24/7 support
Financial remuneration and expenses

Many of our carers value the continuity between fostering and Shared Lives, allowing them to continue making a difference throughout different stages of life.

Our Commitment to Quality and Safeguarding

Drawing on our fostering agency heritage, Futures For Shared Lives maintains robust safeguarding, compliance, and quality assurance processes. Every Shared Lives carer is carefully assessed, trained, and supported to ensure safe, high‑quality care at all times.

We work in partnership with families, professionals, and commissioners to deliver transparent, accountable, and compassionate services.