Kent County Council appeal for new carers to help vulnerable adults

An appeal has been launched to find carers for vulnerable adults who want to live in the community. Run by Kent County Council, the adult placement service is seeking carers who are willing to open their homes to disabled adults, older people or those with learning difficulties.

A KCC spokesman said: “Working as a carer for adults means you can make a huge difference to a vulnerable person who needs help with some aspect of their lives.

“It may be they cannot read or write very well, count their change when shopping, manage their medications or have communication problems.

 “It is rewarding for everyone and if you have room for one more this year I’d urge you to get in touch and find out more.”

Yvonne Humphrey has worked for the adult placement service for more than 20 years. She started offering a care service in her home after working at a residential facility.

The 71-year-old said: “It’s a very responsible job and you need a high level of tolerance but it is very rewarding.

“Some people come to me on respite care for just a few weeks while others stay a long time. I’ve had a lady with learning difficulties stay with me for more than fourteen years and she is now 64-years-old.”

KCC said carers will receive comprehensive training including health and safety, drug management, manual handling and first aid.

Donna Melody has cared for Andrew, a 55-year-old man with Down ’s syndrome and learning difficulties, for 18 months. Andrew now shares Mrs Melody’s family home together with her husband Dayle and their two children, Lauren, 14, and Callum, 11.

Mrs Melody said: “I deal with almost every aspect of Andrew’s care including his personal hygiene, getting him to the doctors, driving him to a day centre and making sure he eats the right food.

“Andrew had been looked after all his life by his mother and father but sadly they passed away and he needed somewhere to go.

“Without the adult placement service he may have ended up in a residential home and he wasn’t used to that environment.

“KCC use a rigorous matching and visiting process so we were all comfortable with the situation before he moved in.”

Mrs Melody said Andrew is now such a part of the furniture that he went on holiday with them to Lanzarote last year.

 “A lot of people might find what I do quite daunting but I don’t. We are a homey lot and Andrew is just like one of the family now.”

For more information on the adult placement scheme visit the adult social services section at www.kent.gov.uk or telephone  08458 247905.