Plans for Kent

We want to make sure that people with learning disabilities have the same opportunities to live their lives like anybody else.

Find out more about the specific needs of people with learning disabilities in Kent.

How we are going to deliver the national strategy 

As well as a national strategy for people with learning disabilities there is also a delivery plan.

The delivery plan explains how lead partners should work together with people with learning disabilities, families and carers to make sure that what is in the strategy happens for everyone.

Some of the key things happening in Kent to make sure Valuing People Now happens are

1. Kent has a well established Learning Disability Partnership Board
2. Kent has 12 District Partnership Groups working locally and with the main Board.
3. Kent has a Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (KCC and PCT’s) 
4. The Partnership Board is commissioning a review of Kent Learning disability Partnership Board and District Partnership Groups.
5. Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT, West Kent PCT and KCC have worked in partnership to ensure that all people in NHS accommodation in Kent have been supported to move to more community based independent living arrangements. 
6. Kent Action Groups working on:
   • Good Health
   • Housing
   • Employment (Jobs Action Group)
   • Transition (Getting a Life)
   • Family Carers
   • Hate Crime
   • Workforce Development
   • Personalisation
7. Kent has a number of specialist groups looking at how to support people with more complex needs and behaviours that challenge.
8. The Partnership Board has commissioned a countywide independent advocacy service.
9. The Good Day Programme is working to support people to explore what they do in the day, evenings and weekends.
10. Kent has appointed Dee Watson as Valuing People Now Delivery Manager so please contact Dee if you want any more information:

Kent Learning disability Partnership Board

The Board is responsible for making sure that the changes and improvements recommended in the Government White Paper Valuing People (March 2001) and Valuing People Now (January 2009) are happening in Kent.

The Board is recognised as an authority on all matters relating to Valuing People Now and meets every two months.

There is a joint Health and Social Services forum, the Learning Disability Strategic Board, with which the Board works closely and shares mutual accountability.

The core members are the Joint Chairs of the 12 District Partnership Groups of Kent, 1 with a learning disability and 1 without. Other members include carers and influential people from the public, independent and voluntary sectors.

Kent Learning Disability Partnership Board and District Partnership Groups are currently under review to support the delivery of Valuing People Now.

District Partnership Groups

The District Partnership Groups (DPG’s) are part of the Kent Learning Disability Partnership Board structure in Kent.

The DPGs have been set up to ensure that local people can influence change and make decisions about the services in the area where they live.

For further information on Kent Learning Disability Partnership Board or District Partnership Group is available on the Kent Learning disability Partnership Board website.

Dee Watson
Valuing People Now - Delivery Manager
Kent County Council
2nd Floor, Brenchley House
Week Street
Maidstone
Kent,
ME14 1RF
Valuingpeoplenow@kent.gov.uk