Use Your Skills for Good: Become a Shared Lives Panel Volunteer

Are you early in your social care career, studying for a Master’s or PhD, or looking to give back after a long career in the sector? Becoming a Shared Lives Panel Volunteer with Ategi offers a unique opportunity to gain real, on-the-ground insight into social care decision-making — while making a genuine difference.

What Is the Shared Lives Panel?

The Shared Lives Panel plays a vital role in supporting Shared Lives carers, who provide care, companionship, and support to people who need extra help to live independently. Panel volunteers help assess whether carers meet Ategi’s high standards, contributing to safe, consistent, and high-quality care.

This is not observational — panel members are part of real decisions that shape people’s lives.

How You’ll Make an Impact

As a Shared Lives Panel Volunteer, you will:

• Review carer assessment and re-approval documents, developing understanding of professional assessment frameworks
• Take part in panel discussions, sharing your perspective and contributing to approval decisions
• Support safeguarding and quality assurance, ensuring carers meet Ategi’s standards
• Engage with real cases, gaining insight into how policies and processes work in practice

Whether you are building your career or bringing decades of experience, your contribution will help ensure safe, compassionate care for people with additional needs.

Why Volunteer with Ategi?

Volunteering with Ategi is about more than giving your time — it’s about using your skills to create real change:

• Flexible commitment – around one morning a month (or sometimes every other month), fully online
• Training and support provided – no prior panel experience required
• Collaborative environment – work alongside experienced professionals, fellow volunteers, and early-career colleagues
• Make a real difference – your insights and expertise help ensure carers provide safe, high-quality support

Who This Role Is Ideal For

This role welcomes people from all backgrounds and stages of life:

• Students and early-career professionals – Master’s or PhD students, trainee social workers, or those looking to gain hands-on experience in social care
• Experienced professionals – retired or practising social workers, Shared Lives carers, foster carers, care managers, or anyone with significant social care experience who wants to give back
• Anyone passionate about supporting people with additional needs – your perspective matters, whether you bring professional expertise or lived experience

How to Get Started

Join Ategi as a Shared Lives Panel Volunteer and make a meaningful impact — whether you’re starting your career, advancing your studies, or sharing years of professional knowledge. Your insight, care, and time help ensure a brighter, safer future for people in the Shared Lives programme.

Join us today

Be part of a values-driven organisation that truly makes a difference.

📩 Send your CV and a short letter to hr@ategi.co.uk

- In your email tell us why you're interested in the role and what experience you have.

Shortlisted applicants will have an informal discussion with our Locality or Scheme Manager. 

(Need this in Welsh? Contact Karen at 01443 484400 or karent@ategi.co.uk.)

Find out more here