Social care savings in Kent 'could mean more independence'

Elderly and disabled people in Kent could stay in their own homes for longer as the county council seeks to save on its adult social care budget.

The authority said it intended to rely more on families and volunteers to provide care in the home in future.

Councillor Graham Gibbens said people wanted to keep their independence.

Kent County Council has to cut £200m a year by 2015 from its annual budget of about 2.2bn and said as more people lived longer more would need its help.

In a document called <link> <caption>Active Lives Now</caption> <url href="https://shareweb.kent.gov.uk/Documents/adult-Social-Services/leaflets-and-brochures/active-lives-now.pdf" platform="highweb"/> </link> , it sets out how it will turn its vision for social care in Kent into a reality in the next three years.

Mr Gibbens, cabinet member for adult social services, said the council would "develop local initiatives to enable people to live safe and fulfilled lives in their own communities".

He added the council would "promote a personalised service that offers choice and flexibility to meet people's individual needs".