Adult Placement Scheme - Information for carers

This video provides information about the Adult Placement Scheme specifically for carers.

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If you experience any issues with this video please contact kasscommsteam@kent.gov.uk.

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Video transcript

 

About Adult Placement

Adult Placement means taking into your home someone who is presently unable to live independently and requires some practical and emotional support.

A placement can either be on a long term basis, respite or as a stepping stone to independent living.

We firmly believe that for some people, Adult Placement is a positive alternative to residential care as it enables vulnerable people to become valued members of their local community.

The people who use Adult Placement are all vulnerable adults, any person aged over 18 years, both men and women.

They may be disabled, have a learning disability or be an older person. This may mean that they need help with some aspects of their daily living. It may be they cannot read or write very well or cannot work out the change when they go shopping.

They may not be able to cook a meal for themselves. They may have communication difficulties.

Becoming an adult placement carer

Single people, couples and families from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures can become adult placement carers. No qualifications are required and we are looking for people with:

• sensitivity and warmth
• a sense of humour
• an interest in helping vulnerable adults
• time to spare
• a spare bedroom

Applicants will need to demonstrate some basic skills and knowledge required for a caring role.

With a career as a carer for the Kent Adult Placement Scheme you can escape your more traditional 9 to 5 job for a job that's rewarding, fits in with your life style and is based within your own home.

What's more you can help make a huge difference to the lives of Kent's vulnerable adults.

Applications cannot be accepted from people who manage a household with a transient resident population. For example, a guesthouse, taking students, or anyone who works as foster carers, link family or supportive accommodation providers.

However foster carers of a disabled young person can apply to the scheme if they wish to continue supporting that person past the age of eighteen.

Application process

An application can be made by a single person or as a joint application (a person and their partner).

The paper application form is available to print out from the Kent County Council website.

Once your application is completed it should be returned to the

Adult Placement Scheme,
Kroner House,
Eurogate Business Park,
Ashford,
Kent,
TN24 8XU. 

Alternatively you can apply using the online application form which is also available on the Kent County Council website.

You will receive an acknowledgement letter within three days of us receiving your application. We will then arrange an initial visit with you within two weeks of receiving your application.

As part of the approval process, a full assessment is undertaken on the main carer and other family members.

This will involve several home visits and will include taking up personal and medical references as well as full checks with the Criminal Records Bureau.

As part of the assessment you will also be required to undertake some training and complete a workbook.

A decision will then be made as to whether your application has been successful.

Once approval has been completed, the assessment will be used as part of the matching process and every effort is made to ensure that compatibility between the people using the service and carer is achieved.

The approval and matching process may take a long period of time as it is essential that everyone involved is positive and happy about the proposed placement.

Ongoing support for the placement will be provided by staff employed by the Adult Placement Scheme.

Regular monitoring visits and reviews will form part of the contract. The payment you will receive will depend upon the level of support required by the person using the service. The actual payment to the carer will be negotiated once the placement has been agreed.