What is Home Sharing
Home Sharing is a family-based respite service for people with an intellectual disability.
A family or person in the community referred to as Home Sharing family provide respite or full-time support to a person with intellectual disability in their own home.
Home Sharing is an umbrella term used to describe three models of support…
Short Breaks, Contract Family, & Shared Living.
Short Breaks
Home Sharing Short Breaks arrangements are based on the Home Sharing family’s availability around work and other caring commitments, as this is not generally the Home Sharing family’s primary role. Under this arrangment host families usually provide support to one or two guests separately for one or two night per month
Contract Family
Contract families provide regular short breaks to children and adults with complex support needs. They are contracted to be available for substantial number of nights such as ten (10), sixteen (16) or twenty (20) per month.
Shared Living
Shared Living families provide full-time support and accommodation to an adult with an intellectual disability similar to a fostering placement
The person supported may spend some time during the month with their own family or with another Home Sharing family but their main residence is with the Shared Living family for a minimum of 21 nights per month.
Development of Home Sharing
Initially established in 1985 by Ability West as a pilot scheme to offer children a holiday away from home. The aim was to give the child a holiday, give the family a break from providing continuous care, and to create a greater awareness of disability within the community.
In the 1990’s Home Sharing was developed further due to the demand from families. Subsequently Ability West and the Brothers of Charity Ireland West Region (Galway) developed the service as an interagency scheme which is now known as Home Share Galway.
Home Share Galway is one of the most successful and well-established Home Sharing services in the country, and is now widely recognised as alternative Short Breaks Respite and as a full-time living option for people that use our services
Person Centred Respite
Each placement aims to promote and empower the person supported, helping them to develop dignified relationships and to be included meaningfully in their community.
The family of the supported person can rest easy knowing that their loved one is being cared for in an inclusive family environment by a Home Sharing family who has been specifically matched for them. The Home Sharing families are fully trained, vetted, assessed and closely supported by the Home Sharing team.
Become a Home Sharing Family with Ability West
Becoming a Home Sharing family is a big decision and there are a number of things you need to know before deciding to host a child or adult with an intellectual disability in your home.
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Apart from the practical elements (such as having a spare bedroom and appropriate availability etc.), we require prospective Home Sharing to be compassionate, caring and dedicated. You don’t need a specific skill set but we are looking for families or individuals who really want to make a difference to a person’s life. It is also important that applicants have a flexible attitude and the ability to take on guidance and support.
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Complete an application form to begin your Home Sharing Journey.
You must be over the age of 18 years old
You need a spare bedroom
If you are living with your partner you will need to apply as a joint application
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A social worker will visit you at home to talk to you about what’s involved in the Home Sharing assessment.
The assessment will involve 2/3 home visits with you and your family to talk about you and your life experiences.
The assessment is an important part of your Home Sharing journey. The assessment process provides the Home Sharing team with the information needed to ensure you are matched with the right person.
This is a non-judgmental part of the process, so it's really important to be open and honest with the Social Worker. Your honesty helps us understand your needs better and ensures we can provide the best possible support for your Home Sharing journey.
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Anyone that wants to become a Home Sharing family has to complete the Home Sharing induction training.
Training is a vital part of your Home Sharing journey and will give you a good overview of how to support someone with an intellectual disability in your own home.
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All Home Sharing families are required to complete their Garda Vetting, not only before they can be approved, but every three years once they have been approved to host.
Checks are also made with the local Tusla Child & Family Agency to enquire if you are known to their services.
A medical will need to be completed by your GP during the assessment, and also once every five years following your approval to host.
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Once your assessment is finished the Social Worker writes up an assessment report to present to the Approval Panel for approval.
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Getting the match right is key to a successful placement. The Home Sharing team will take into consideration a number of factors to try and get the right match:
environment
interests / hobbies
religion
language
location
Make an enquiry
Contact us to begin your home sharing journey, or reach out if you have any questions. The Home Sharing team is happy to help.
In 2023, Maureen Doherty and Ellen Salmon both retired from home sharing
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to both Maureen Doherty and Ellen Salmon for their contribution and commitment to Home Sharing, and we wish them the very best in their retirement. Over the years, Maureen and Ellen respectively provided a home from home respite to a number of individuals, providing valuable support, care and friendships along the way.
We are also grateful to the many other host families in our communities who continue to offer their care, commitment and homes to people who avail of Ability West Services.
We are currently preparing for our recruitment drive in 2025 and we want to emphasize that we do not limit the search for host families to "traditional" family units. Instead, we welcome anyone who has a spare bedroom and has the willingness and time to offer support to a child or adult with an intellectual disability. Single individuals, cohabiting couples, married couples, and retired people are all encouraged to become Home Sharing families. While formal qualifications are not required, qualities such as warmth, patience, flexibility, and common sense are essential.
Meet John & Janella and read their testimonal about hosting in their home HERE
Tesimonal
Meet the Home SHaring team
(top left) Angharad Langford Home Sharing Coordinator. (top right) Michelle Warner Home Sharing Support Officer. (centre) Nicola Ryan Home Sharing Family Social Worker. (bottom left) Tom O’Malley Home Sharing Family Social Worker. (bottom right) Eileen Croke Home Sharing Placement Social Worker
If you’re interested in becoming a Home Sharing family, please reach out to the Ability West Home Sharing team. We’re available on the phone or via email – you can also fill out the enquiry form above.
Tel: 091 540 900 / 087 367 2940 or email: homesharing@abiltywest.ie
Home Sharing Information
‘Home Sharing in Intellectual Disability Services in Ireland’ (HSE, 2016)
The HSE established a National Expert Group in 2016 to carry out a review of Home Sharing in Ireland. The report of the National Expert Group was published in September 2016.
Home Share Galway Handbook 2022
The Home Share Galway handbook is a guide given to all approved Home Sharing families in Galway City & County. The Home Sharing handbook outlines policies, procedures and guidance regarding a host family supporting a child or adult with an intellectual disabilty in their home. 
Home Sharing Allowance & Travel Form
Monthly allowance form and travel form for approved Home Shairng families to submit to their Ability West Home Sharing team.