SWAPS out of hours service offers shared lives providers service user support, advice and guidance and a listening ear on the phone. We are here to help providers in any way we can and if necessary will reinforce issues with social or emergency services required.

In an emergency where either the changed needs of the service user cannot be met or shared lives providers are temporarily unable to provide the adult placement, Social Services take a lead responsibility as SWAPS does not have access to emergency accommodation provision.

However it is our role to provide shared lives providers with support and guidance in an emergency situation which we can do during weekends and Bank Holidays through the SWAPS on call system.

Weekday Arrangements:

The SWAPS office is open between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. After 5pm the office answer phone is in operation until 9am the next day (or if on Friday, 9am the following Monday). If a provider rings during out of hours Monday to Thursday to report something or to seek advice they will be asked to leave a message and will receive a response from the appropriate member of the SWAPS team as soon as the office re-opens.

Weekend and Bank Holiday arrangements:

On Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays our answer phone will give the mobile number for you to ring of the allocated SWAPS team member on call. They will give any support and guidance required.