Last Updated on January 14, 2026
New data shows that Shared Lives is continuing to grow across the UK despite the adult social care sector facing sustained pressure. The State of Shared Lives 2024-25 report brings together four years of consistent national data from Shared Lives schemes across the UK, offering the clearest picture yet of how the model is developing, diversifying and responding to changing needs.
The report includes a UK-wide overview alongside nation-specific reports for Scotland and Wales, providing insight into how Shared Lives is being used locally during a period of rising demand, workforce challenges and constrained budgets. In 2024-25, 9,898 people were supported through Shared Lives across the UK, with growth continuing in several nations and regions. Scotland saw particularly strong growth, with a 4% increase in the number of people supported over the past year.
While live-in arrangements remain central – supporting 58% of people – the data shows continued growth in short breaks (27%) and day support (17%), reflecting how Shared Lives schemes are responding to different needs and local priorities. Although people with a learning disability continue to make up the largest group supported, Shared Lives is increasingly supporting older people, people with sensory impairments and people needing preventative or transitional support.
The number of approved Shared Lives carers has increased by 13% over four years, rising from 9,226 in 2021-22 to 10,406 in 2024-25. More carers are also offering short breaks, increasing flexibility for families and unpaid carers. The workforce supporting Shared Lives has also grown, with staff numbers rising to 997 in 2024-25. 71% of staff now work full time, supporting continuity and quality at a local level.
For the first time, the report provides a national picture of care leavers moving into Shared Lives. In 2024-25, 351 transitions were recorded, most involving young people moving from foster care into Shared Lives with an existing carer. Moreover, 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.
Commenting on the launch of the new report, Ewan King, Chief Executive at 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.'
Mary Stokes, Project Officer for the Young People Leaving Care programme at Shared Lives Plus, 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.'
Suzi Clark, who leads the Strategic Advice and Development team at Shared Lives Plus, 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.'
To read The State of Shared Lives 2024-25 report, visit the Shared Lives Plus website.
In other news, adult social care leaders have been recognised in the New Year Honours List 2026, acknowledging their achievements and service.