A commitment was made in the HSE National Service Plan (2016) to develop Home Sharing as an added alternative to the existing model of respite and residential service provision on offer to adults and children with intellectual disability in Ireland. 

In this regard, a National Expert Group on Home Sharing was established by the HSE Social Care Division to carry out a review of Home Sharing in line with the HSE’s ‘Respite/Residential Care with Host Families in Community Settings’ (2012) and the HSE’s ‘Host Family Support Model of Service Provision – Governance/Guidance Document to Support Implementation’ (2012) and prepare a report for the future provision of Home Sharing in Ireland as a person centred and community inclusive model of support for people with intellectual disability.

The National Expert Group included clinicians, and other healthcare professionals, representatives from the HSE, TUSLA, Federation of Voluntary Bodies, CEOs from the non-statutory sector service providers and members from the National Home-sharing and Short-breaks Network (NHSN).  The report of the National Expert Group provides for the further development of Home Sharing and for the safe governance and management of the service.    

Home Sharing in Intellectual Disability Services in Ireland