§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on 16-year-old disabled young people who are still at school obtaining an assessment under section 4 of the Disabled Persons (Representation, Consultation and Services) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MajorSection 4 of the Disabled Person (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 came into630W force on 1 April 1987. It makes it clear that a local authority has a duty to decide whether a disabled person's needs call for the provision of any services in accordance with section 2(1) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, if requested to do so by the disabled person or by any person, for example a parent, who provides care for him or her in the circumstances mentioned in section 8 of the Act. This provision would apply to requests made by 16-year-old disabled young people who are still at school or by their carers.