Kent County Council's (KCC) recent cuts and failure to comply with the Care Act 2014 as well as REACH standards in adult social care are alarmingly impacting the lives of vulnerable adults, including a group of 15 service users being provided 24/7 support in their supported living placement. As someone who see’s first hand how much these vulnerable people rely on the service that provides them their much needed care, I am deeply concerned about their decision to conduct 'desktop reviews' instead of face-to-face assessments taking into account the personal views of service users, their families, the service and healthcare professionals.

Imagine being in a position where your safety and well-being depends on someone who has never met you, not understanding your unique circumstances, needs, or potential risks. It is de-humanising, to say the least. These so-called 'reviews' are inadequate and fail to capture the reality of individuals' lives, effectively stripping away their dignity and the person-centred support they desperately need.

For instance, desktop reviews overlook the person-centred care needs of the individual, their communication needs, their likes and dislikes and goals & aspirations that inform a proper assessment of physical,  communication, medical, personal care, health, nutrition, accessing the community and mental health needs.

Who has the right to play with human beings’ lives in this way by cutting their 1-1 support hours by up to 60% causing them to lose their much needed support to live their daily lives. This is because those completing the desktop reviews feel that they are entitled to make decisions as to whether these people need support to wash, to dress, to take medication, to cook a meal and to spend time doing an activity they enjoy? 
With the implemented cuts these vulnerable people will lose the support they absolutely need to lead the same life as anyone else. 
These cuts will unfortunately result in the service no longer being able to provide the care.

The best part … the cuts are taking place due to KCC overspending and mounting debts. 

KCC must prioritize direct engagement with service users, their families and the services that support them to ensure comprehensive and compassionate care can continue to be delivered. This involves reversing the move to desktop reviews, restoring face-to-face assessments, taking into account basic human needs and individuals thoughts and feelings.

The decision-makers at KCC need to hear from us—the affected individuals, families, and communities—who refuse to stand by silently while critical social care services are taken away from vulnerable people. 

Join me in urging KCC to acknowledge and address these concerns. Our voices can create the necessary push for change, ensuring that vulnerable adults receive the essential care they deserve. Please sign this petition to demand a reevaluation of KCC's current policies and a commitment to delivering the quality care every individual is entitled to.