Changes to Carers Assessment and Support Services in Kent from 1 August 2026
We are writing to you because you currently receive, or have previously received, support, advice or information from Carers’ Support East Kent in your role as an unpaid Carer. As part of this service, you may also have taken part in a Carer’s Assessment which would have provided an opportunity to talk about how your caring responsibilities affect your daily life and to identify any support that may help you as a Carer.
You may already be aware that Carers support services in Kent are changing. From 1 August 2026, a new Adult Carer Support Services (16+ caring for an adult) will be in place.
The new service will be delivered by two organisations – one covering East Kent and one covering West Kent. The two providers will work together to make sure carers across Kent can access consistent and high-quality support. After the transition, there will be a single route for Carers to access support. We will share more information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, from 1 August 2026, you can access support in your area through:
Involve Kent Ltd
Telephone: 0330 320 4444
Email: carers@involve.org.uk
(Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe and Thanet)
Imago Community
Telephone: 0300 011 1965
Email: kentcarers@imago.community
(Faversham)
What do you need to do?
When you first contacted Carers’ Support East Kent you gave permission for your information to be used to provide support services.
To continue receiving Carers assessment and support services from 1 August 2026, you do not need to provide your information again. Carers’ Support East Kent will transfer your records to Involve Kent Ltd (Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe or Thanet) or Imago Community (Faversham).
If you have had a Carer’s Assessment, Kent County Council (KCC) will also share the assessment record with Involve Kent Ltd (Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe or Thanet) or Imago Community (Faversham). This is because the assessment is held on KCC’s system, even if it was carried out by Carers’ Support East Kent
This information will help Involve Kent Ltd or Imago Community understand your needs and ensure your support continues without interruption from 1 August 2026.
If you do not want your information to be transferred to the new provider, you must contact us by 31 July 2026 to tell us that you do not consent to your data being shared.
How to let Carers’ Support East Kent know if you do not give your consent for your information to be transferred
Follow this link: Carer Information Transfer Opt-Out Form – Fill in form
Telephone: 0300 302 0061
How to let KCC know if you do not give your consent for information from your carer’s assessment being shared
You can contact KCC in one of two ways:
Email KCC at preventionframework@kent.gov.uk
Call 03000 41 61 61 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm)
What happens if you do not give consent?
If you do not want Carers’ Support East Kent to share your information with Involve Kent Ltd (Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Thanet) / Imago Community (Faversham) please let us know by 31 July 2026. In this case, your records will not be transferred and Involve Kent Ltd or Imago Community will not be able to contact you directly.
You can still contact Involve Kent Ltd or Imago Community yourself. However, they will not have access to your previous records or information about the support you have received unless you agree to these being shared.
If you do not want KCC to share information from your Carer’s Assessment with Involve Kent Ltd or Imago Community, please let them know by 31 July 2026. Involve Kent Ltd or Imago Community will still be able to support you, but you may need to provide information again.
We are here to support you
We understand that changes like this can be unsettling. We want to reassure you that we will be working closely with Involve Kent Ltd or Imago Community to make sure you continue to have access to the support, advice and information you need during this transition.