Guidelines for carers

The following links and documents provide useful information about the guidelines available for carers.

• Kent Adult Carers' Strategy
  Kent Adult Carers' has launched its response to deliver the National Carers' Strategy in 2009. The Kent Adult Carers' Strategy sets out the vision we plan to take forward working in partnerships across Kent.

• Kent Adult Carers' annual report
  The annual report aims to paint as complete picture as possible of the support that is provided for carers across Kent.

• National Strategy for Carers
  The National Strategy for Carers titled "Carers at the heart of 21st‑century families and communities" sets out the Government's short-term agenda and long-term vision for the future care and support of carers.

• Carer's assessment policy and service standards (PDF, 318k)
  This document sets out Kent Adult Social Services' (KASS) policy in regards to the assessment and support of carers. It acts as a guide for Staff and Voluntary Sector Assessors in their assessment and support of carers.

• The National Service Framework for Mental Health 1999
  Standard Six 'Caring About Carers' aims to ensure health and social services assess the needs of carers who provide regular and substantial care for those with severe mental illness and provide care to meet their needs. It emphasises that the assessment will be repeated on an annual basis and carers will have their own written support plan.

• The NHS Plan 2000
  The National Health Service (NHS) Plan 2000 emphasises that the NHS will shape services around the needs and preferences of patients, families and carers. GP's are required to find ways of identifying carers.

• Swine flu advice for carers (PDF, 250k)
  Swine flu is a new form of influenza (flu) and this documents provides some useful advise for carers.

• The National Service Framework for Older People 2001
  The rationale behind Standard Two 'Person Centred Care' is that older people and their carers should receive person-centred care and services which respect them as individuals and which are arranged around their needs.

• Valuing People 2001
  Objective 4 focuses on increasing the help and support carers receive from all agencies in order to fulfil their family and caring roles effectively.

• Community care services for adults
  Community care is the help and support we provide to adults (people aged 18 and over), and those who care for them, so that people can continue to live independently in the community.