Proposed decision
Toadopt the Kent Adult Carers’ Strategy 2022 – 2027; delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to refresh and/or make revisions as appropriate during the lifetime of the strategy and delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contract or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the objectives of the strategy.
Reason for the decision
The current Kent Adult Carers’ Strategy was developed and adopted in 2009 and it is recognised that there is a need to set a new strategic direction for Adult Social Care which better responds to the changing expectations of the people we support, their carers and the operating environment.
The Kent Adult Carers’ Strategy 2022 – 2027 describes our vision, approach, and priorities for how we plan to work with all our partners to make welcomed changes for supporting adult carers in Kent. This strategy does not sit in isolation. The strategy has been influenced by the ‘People at the Heart of Care, White Paper 2021’ and, it is closely aligned with the ‘Making a difference every day – Our strategy for Adult Social Care in Kent 2022 to 2027’.
The strategy sets out our vision and ambitions for supporting and empowering carers to lead the lives they want to live, in a place they call home and by putting carers at the heart of everything we do.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/02/2022
Decision due: Not before 6th Apr 2022 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Reason: in order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Lead director: Richard Smith
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Michael Thomas-Sam, Strategic Business Adviser, Social Care Email: michael.thomas-sam@kent.gov.uk Tel: 03000 417238.
Consultation process
The draft Carers’ Strategy has been subject to public consultation. The consultation on the strategy opened on 12 January 2022 and it closed on 22 February 2022. https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/adult-carers-strategy
The proposed decision will be discussed at the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee on 31 March 2022 and the outcome included in the paperwork which the Cabinet Member will be asked to sign.
Financial implications: The implementation of the new strategy will be taken forward based on the budget allocation to the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate. Service delivery arising from this strategy for future years will be determined by the approved budget and the Medium Term and Financial Plan (MTFP) requirements.
Legal implications: The implementation of the strategy will be in line with Kent County Council’s adult social care responsibilities, set out in relevant legislation such as the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983.
Equalities implications: As part of the planning process for the strategy development work, an initial equalities impact assessment was developed. This will be updated to reflect comments made during the engagement events and following the consultation exercise. A final version will be drafted to support the proposed decision. Data Protection implications: The development of the strategy does not require a Data Protection Impact Assessment to be completed.