§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a statement on the implementation by local authorities of Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.
§ Sir K. Joseph152 of the 158 local social services authorities in England have so far reported on the progress made by 1st April. The remaining reports are unlikely significantly to alter the position. It is difficult to summarise the reports since much of the information supplied was of a descriptive rather than a statistical nature.
329WThe following table describes the methods used to implement Section 1(1). In most cases it relates to work in progress on 1st April, 1972, or for which firm plans had by then been made. This is mainly because the method of implementation chosen involves work stretching over a period. It does not, of course, imply any judgment of the respective merits, in local circumstances, of methods used.
Method of Implementation Number of Authorities 1. House to House distribution of leaflets 46 2. Sample survey in accordance with Office of Population Censuses and Surveys guidance 33 3. Other sample surveys 29 4. Other methods of implementation 21 5. Combination of two of above methods 14 6. No information given 9 Total replies received 152 For the most part the leaflets used by authorities shown in item 1 contained slips to be returned by handicapped people seeking help. As regards the sample surveys shown at item 3, variations from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys guidance were for the most part in the size of the sample chosen or the method by which it was drawn.
The normal annual statistical returns of handicapped persons registered with local authorities on 31st March, 1972, show that the number of persons at that date on registers of the general classes was a little over 300,000 compared with approximately 230,000 on 31st December, 1970. Even where authorities have carried out a house-to-house distribution of leaflets it would seem that the numbers of handicapped people known to them are still considerably below the figure to be expected on the basis of the National Survey of the Handicapped.
A large number of authorities sought the help of voluntary effort in implementing Section 1(1). Thirty used the services of voluntary organisations, 47 directly recruited volunteers and a further 28 used both methods.
The main difficulties reported by authorities in implementing the subsection were shortage of available staff, coupled with the aftermath of reorganisa- 330W tion consequent upon the Local Authorities Social Services Act, and in many cases the poor response, particularly where house-to-house distribution of, leaflets had been undertaken, from those handicapped people eligible for help. The information gained by local authorities will be taken into account in preparing their estimates of expenditure in the next financial year. Similarly, account of it will be taken in the rate support grant negotiations this autumn.
In general, authorities report some improvement in the liaison arrangements between social services departments and other local authority departments, hospitals and general practitioners, and voluntary organisations to bring to the attention of social services departments people who might benefit from their help.
Authorities have carried out a considerable amount of publicity of services by a variety of methods in pursuance of Section 1(2) of the Act and much of this has been linked with measures to implement Section 1(1). Publicity arrangements are continuing, and authorities have been asked to give wide distribution to the booklet "Help for Handicapped People" which my Department has just published. The booklet describes as simply and clearly as possible the full range of facilities, including financial benefits, available to handicapped people and where to apply for them.
As regards follow-up of the information received from authorities in their progress reports, my officials will be discussing the development of services with local authorities and will be pursuing, as necessary, points arising from individual reports.
Progress reports from local authorities did not deal with the implementation of Section 2 of the 1970 Act. As already announced, I have indicated to authorities that I shall be calling for statistical returns for the year ending 31st March, 1973, showing certain forms of help given to handicapped or elderly persons.