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The urgent and comprehensive Modernisation Agenda set by
Central Government is reflected here in Kent by a raft of
initiatives and developments. Kent Adult Social Services
Directorate (KASS) has seconded its social care staff into the Kent
& Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust.
This is the largest Mental Health Community Trust in the UK
(serving 1.3 million people) providing an unparalleled opportunity
for the development of specialist services with similarly wide
ranging professional opportunities.
Mental Health services across Kent and Medway are distributed
across Kent, based on the localities defined by the major towns and
some rural locations. Kent is the largest county in the UK and this
ensures a rich variety of coastal, rural and urban locations.
The central theme in recent times has been integration; and
development is as always the bridge to the future.
Integration
The co-location of KAS and Health colleagues as Community Mental
Health Teams operating from Community Mental Health Centers has
been achieved to provide a seamless delivery of services.
The Professional Head of Service is located as a Board member
with the title of Director of Social Care.
There are a number of other joint Health and KASS appointments
working across the partner organisations.
Development
Assertive Outreach is in place across the whole county.
Carers' assessments and services are an established part of the
Care Programme Approach (CPA).
New models of care have been developed which consist of an
integrated complex of Intake. Enhanced and In-Patient teams. Intake
is the interface with Primary Care and service users on Standard
Care programme Approach (CPA), while the Enhanced Team will look
after those on Enhanced CPA.
The
Staff
Care Package with its associated Post Qualifying Award
opportunities ensures that Mental Health staff are particularly
well placed to progress in professional stature and that their
professional maturation is well rewarded on a generous
payscale.
Living and working in Kent provides a wide range of
professional challenge and opportunity along a similarly wide range
of locations, in a county of outstanding natural
beauty. |