Carers – a personal approach

11 March 2010

It is almost a year since a group of carers and their supporters got together with county council officers to talk about how each carer can be supported.

Now, many of them are getting together again on 1 April to look at what has happened since.

About 100 people are expected at the follow-up event – individual carers and representatives from carers’ organisations, KCC adult social services and the NHS. Issues raised last year will be the focus of the event, which will also look at what the priorities are for the future.

Last year’s key issues were:
1. safeguarding and managing risk,
2. providing training and support for carers,
3. offering information, advice and guidance for carers and those they care for,
4. using community resources such as day centres,
5. making sure carers can get respite breaks.

There will be a presentation on the Carers assessment policy, which looks at carers’ circumstances and can provide a lump sum to support them, and another on Personal Health Budgets for Carers. This is about helping carers to maintain their health and well being through short breaks.

There will also be group discussions, looking at priorities for the future.

The event will be held at the Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a buffet lunch, and anyone wanting to attend should contact Barbara Seaman – email barbara.seaman@kent.gov.uk or call 01622 221460.