Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

Have your say: The future of social care debate

Please note this consultation closed on the 31 October 2008 - this page is for information only.

You're never going to need care, right?

If you plan to live a long life - plan to enjoy time with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren - then the chances are that you are going to need care one day.

But who is going to be responsible for that care? Should it be your family or the government, or a bit of both? And who is going to pay for and provide your care? Should everyone have their care provided in the same way - or should it change depending on where you live or how much money you have?

So what can I do about it?

People in Kent have been given a fantastic and rare opportunity to tell the government exactly what they think about the future of care. As part of plans to launch a national discussion about everything to do with care, the government has invited people up and down the country to have their say. After hearing what people have to say, the government will write a document discussing how the law might change in the future - that document is called a Green Paper.

Kent County Council needs you!

KCC is very keen to get as many people as possible involved in talking to the government and is helping to gather people's thoughts and send them on.

And everyone is being asked to think about care and give their views. So whether you are still at school, working, unemployed or retired, get in touch and say what you think care should be like.

KCC Cabinet Member for Kent Adult Social Services, Graham Gibbens, said: "This is a very important chance for people to say what they think about care. This is a real chance to talk to the government about how we see care being organised and paid for in the future. I am pleased that KCC has a chance to help Kent people get their views across."


This is not a Kent County Council consultation and is not about KCC services. But it is a rare and valuable chance to tell the government what the people of Kent think. KCC is helping get your message across - and there are lots of ways for you to tell us.

As a guide to thinking about care, we have prepared the following questions:

  • How can we make sure any new care and support system is responsive to an individuals needs?
  • Who should be responsible for care and support? Individuals, government, families, a combination, or some other idea?
  • Should the system be the same for everyone?
  • Should the delivery of care and support be decided? Nationally, locally, a combination of both, or some other idea?
  • Would you be happy to plan for your future care and support needs as you may do for your pension?
  • Do you have any other thoughts?

Copyright Kent County Council 2008