PSS
PSS is a UK social care charity founded in 1919 that delivers community-based services including Shared Lives placements, mental health support, learning disability day services, perinatal and criminal justice support across England and Wales, funded primarily by local authority and government commissioning contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1919
- HeadquartersLiverpool, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PSS does
PSS (originally the Liverpool Personal Services Society) is a registered UK charity founded in 1919 by Eleanor Rathbone and Dorothy Keeling, structured as a company limited by guarantee and headquartered in Liverpool. The organisation delivers a portfolio of community-based social care services across England and Wales, including Shared Lives (live-in and day support in carers' own homes for adults with disabilities, mental health needs, or in recovery from addiction), Wellbeing Centres (mental health peer support as part of the Upbeat Liverpool consortium), Making Days (day services for people with learning disabilities in Liverpool), Community Support in Liverpool, Women's Turnaround (support for women in the criminal justice system on probation), Parent-Baby Service (perinatal mental health and bonding support), and Prisoners' Families (support for children and families affected by parental imprisonment).
The organisation's technology footprint is intentionally modest and operationally focused. The two proprietary systems are Matching Lives, a bespoke matching website that allows individuals seeking Shared Lives placements to view carer profiles, preferences, and virtual house tours, and an internal Learning Hub that delivers essential and role-specific training to staff and Shared Lives carers. Neither system is described as AI-enabled. Geographic coverage spans seven regional Shared Lives schemes with physical offices in Liverpool, Manchester, North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, East Anglia, Staffordshire, and North Wales, alongside Liverpool-based delivery of the other core services.
Revenue is generated primarily through contracts with government and public-sector commissioners, including Liverpool City Council, Probation Services across Merseyside/Wales/Cheshire, and health commissioning bodies for perinatal and mental health services. A secondary revenue stream comes from charitable grants (notably The National Lottery Community Fund for Prisoners' Families) and public donations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined through commissioning negotiations. Service access is primarily via social worker, health professional, or probation worker referrals, with self-referral available only for the Upbeat Liverpool Wellbeing Centres. The organisation reports no parent company, no private equity ownership, and operates as an independent non-profit governed by a Board of Trustees, with Jill Sheldrake MBE as CEO until her announced departure in 2026.
PSS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PSS
- Legal name
- PSS (UK)
- Website
- https://psspeople.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1919
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- PSS is a UK social care charity founded in 1919 that delivers community-based services including Shared Lives placements, mental health support, learning disability day services, perinatal and criminal justice support across England and Wales, funded primarily by local authority and government commissioning contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PSS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Care Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)
Keywords
Where PSS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Liverpool
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
PSS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government and Local Authority Commissioning: PSS receives funding from local authorities (including Liverpool City Council), Probation Services, and health commissioning bodies to deliver contracted social care services. This forms the primary revenue stream for services including Shared Lives, Making Days, Women's Turnaround, and Community Support.
- Charitable Grants and Fundraising: PSS receives grants from charitable foundations including The National Lottery Community Fund for specific programmes such as the Prisoners' Families service. The organisation also receives donations and operates fundraising activities.
- Public Donations and Volunteer Contributions: PSS receives support through charitable donations and volunteers who contribute their time and talents. The organisation has been volunteer-driven since its founding in 1919.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
PSS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PSS is a UK social care charity (founded 1919) delivering community-based support services including Shared Lives (live-in and day support by trained carers), Wellbeing Centres (mental health support as part of Upbeat Liverpool), Making Days (day services for people with learning disabilities), Community Support, Women's Turnaround (criminal justice support for women on probation), Parent-Baby Service, and Prisoners' Families. Services are primarily commissioned by local authorities, Probation Services, and health bodies, with additional grant and donation funding.
Product overview
PSS (Person Shaped Support) is a national social care charity offering a portfolio of interconnected services designed to help people live independently and beyond limits. The core services include Wellbeing Centres (operated as part of the Upbeat Liverpool mental health partnership), Shared Lives (a national live-in and day support service available across Merseyside, Manchester, North Yorkshire, Midlands, East Anglia, Lincolnshire, and North Wales), Making Days (a Liverpool day service for people with learning disabilities), Community Support in Liverpool, Women's Turnaround (criminal justice support for women on probation), Parent-Baby Service (specialist support for new parents in Liverpool), and Prisoners' Families (support for children and families affected by parental imprisonment). The charity also operates internal operational platforms including the Learning Hub for staff and carer training, and Matching Lives for Shared Lives carer-to-individual matching. The services are delivered through community-based centres, carers' homes, and group settings across England and Wales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Upbeat Liverpool: A mental health and wellbeing partnership initiative in Liverpool, working with Mary Seacole House, Everton in the Community, Waythrough, and Quell.
Products and services
- Shared Lives A national shared living service where trained carers provide support to adults in the carer's own home, including live-in support, day support, short breaks, moving-on support for young people leaving foster care, and home-from-hospital assistance across Merseyside, Manchester, North Yorkshire, Midlands, East Anglia, Lincolnshire, and North Wales.
- Wellbeing Centres (Upbeat Liverpool)
- Making Days A Liverpool-based day support service for people with learning disabilities and additional needs, offering activities such as cooking, art, drama, sports, gardening, music, and volunteering, with six day centres across the city.
- Community Support in Liverpool A community-based support service for people with learning disabilities in Liverpool, providing support workers to help individuals get out and about, build confidence, learn life skills, manage budgets, attend appointments, and participate in their local community.
- Women's Turnaround A criminal justice support service for women who have offended and are on probation, providing one-to-one support, group sessions, counselling, and through-the-gate support to help women address the root causes of offending, find stable housing, employment, and build healthier lives.
- Parent-Baby Service A specialist mental health and wellbeing service in Liverpool for new parents with children under two, offering parent-baby therapy, clinical psychology support, one-to-one sessions, peer support groups, and help overcoming birth trauma and postnatal mental health challenges.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of staff said they look forward to coming to work
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use PSS
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PSS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
PSS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, strategic, minor and core.
- Tall RootsmajorTall Roots is a values-led recruitment organisation helping PSS find its next chief executive. They strive to improve socioeconomic diversity in leadership and are handling the CEO recruitment process including preliminary interviews.
- The Black United Representation Network (BURN)strategicPSS joined BURN as a membership organisation to strengthen its Board and promote diversity in governance. This partnership is described as a big step for the organisation's future.
- The Unlocked CollectiveminorMaking Days participants collaborated with The Unlocked Collective on a Voice project creating art about their lives.
- Manchester Metropolitan UniversitystrategicPSS launched a mental health research project in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to advance understanding and practice.
- Mary Seacole HousecoreMary Seacole House is a partner in the Upbeat Liverpool consortium providing mental health and wellbeing services. PSS Wellbeing Centres is part of this partnership alongside Everton in the Community, Waythrough, and Quell.
- Everton in the CommunitycoreEverton in the Community is a partner in the Upbeat Liverpool consortium providing mental health and wellbeing services alongside PSS Wellbeing Centres.
- WaythroughcoreWaythrough is a partner in the Upbeat Liverpool consortium providing mental health and wellbeing services alongside PSS Wellbeing Centres.
- QuellcoreQuell provides free 1:1 online mental health support as part of the Upbeat Liverpool service. Support is anonymous and available 24/7 through online chat.
- Shared Lives PluscoreShared Lives Plus is the national body for Shared Lives in the UK. PSS invented Shared Lives in 1978, and the service has grown to become a national service. PSS refers people to Shared Lives Plus when PSS services aren't available in their area.
- The Comedy TrustminorPSS Parent-Baby Service partnered with The Comedy Trust to deliver a free five-week comedy course for Liverpool mums.
- The ReaderminorMaking Days at The Reader is a volunteering programme based at Mansion House, Calderstones Park, supporting people with learning disabilities to build skills through volunteering in the bookshop, cafes, gardens, and reception.
- Liverpool City CouncilcoreLiverpool City Council is the primary commissioner for Making Days and Community Support services. The council refers individuals to PSS services and funds the care through social services.
- Probation Service (Merseyside, Wales, Cheshire)coreThe Probation Service commissions Women's Turnaround to support women who have offended and are on probation across Merseyside, North Wales, and Cheshire regions.
- HMP Styal and other prisonsminorWomen's Turnaround supports women in custody at HMP Styal and provides through-the-gate support as women leave prison to help with reintegration.
- Shoebox Full of Love AppealminorPSS staff member Ryan has been collecting donations for the Shoebox Full of Love Appeal, a Merseyside charity providing warm socks, toiletries, and food to disadvantaged and homeless people in Merseyside.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PSS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- United Response: National UK charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs through personalised support, supported living, and Shared Lives schemes. Direct peer offering overlapping services to similar vulnerable populations.
- Hft: National UK charity supporting people with learning disabilities, including Shared Lives and supported living services. Direct comparable as both organisations deliver Shared Lives placements and personalised support for adults with learning disabilities across multiple English regions.
- MacIntyre: UK charity providing lifelong learning, support, and care for people with learning disabilities and autism, including Shared Lives and community-based services. Highly comparable to PSS in mission, beneficiary group, and service model mix.
- Catch22: UK social business delivering services across criminal justice, education, and social care, including women's offending programmes comparable to PSS's Women's Turnaround. Overlapping beneficiary groups and commissioning structures.
- Turning Point: UK social enterprise providing services across learning disabilities, mental health, substance misuse, and criminal justice. Comparable to PSS in spanning mental health and criminal justice support alongside disability services, with a larger national footprint.
- Leonard Cheshire: Large UK disability charity supporting people with disabilities through residential, supported living, and community services. Comparable to PSS in serving adults with disabilities, though with broader international footprint and residential focus.
- Dimensions UK: UK charity providing person-centred support for people with learning disabilities and autism, including Shared Lives and community support services. Direct peer in the Shared Lives segment and learning disability specialism.
- St Mungo's: UK charity providing housing and support for people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage, including mental health and recovery support. Comparable to PSS in mental health support delivery and local authority commissioning relationships.
Broad incumbents
- Look Ahead Care and Support: Large UK provider of supported housing, mental health, and learning disability services across England. Comparable to PSS in delivering personalised community support and Shared Lives-style services, but at much greater scale as a broad incumbent.
Emerging players
- Shared Lives Plus: National UK membership body for Shared Lives schemes, of which PSS is a member and pioneer. Comparable as a coordinator/promoter of Shared Lives nationally, though PSS operates schemes directly rather than as a membership network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PSS social profiles
Digital presencePSS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PSS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
PSS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PSS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PSS
What does PSS do?
PSS is a UK social care charity (founded 1919) delivering community-based support services including Shared Lives (live-in and day support by trained carers), Wellbeing Centres (mental health support as part of Upbeat Liverpool), Making Days (day services for people with learning disabilities), Community Support, Women's Turnaround (criminal justice support for women on probation), Parent-Baby Service, and Prisoners' Families. Services are primarily commissioned by local authorities, Probation Services, and health bodies, with additional grant and donation funding.
Is PSS a public or private company?
PSS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PSS founded?
PSS was founded in 1919. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is PSS based?
PSS is headquartered in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does PSS make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government and Local Authority Commissioning is the primary driver. The others are charitable Grants and Fundraising and public Donations and Volunteer Contributions.
Who are PSS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are United Response, Hft, MacIntyre, Catch22, Turning Point, Leonard Cheshire, Dimensions UK and St Mungo's. Look Ahead Care and Support is listed as a broad incumbent. Shared Lives Plus is listed as an emerging player.
Does PSS have an API?
No public API is recorded for PSS.
What industry is PSS in?
PSS's product category is Social Care Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAC, Family & Parenting Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.