HL Deb 20 June 1978 vol 393 cc1113-4WA
Baroness VICKERS

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average cost per week for a disabled person in a local authority home, for adults and for children.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

Social Services Statistics Estimates for 1977–78 published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy give the following average costs per person per week in England for accommodation provided in various types of local authority homes:—

£
Elderly … … … … 41.99
Younger Physically Handicapped … … … 61.02
Mentally Handicapped Adults 45.07
Mentally Handicapped Children … … … … 86.23
Mentally ill … … … 41.60

These figures exclude capital charges and the cost of administration. Individual homes may house residents in more than one category, since local authorities make flexible use of their accommodation.

The only available figure for homes for disabled children relates to homes for those who are mentally handicapped. The cost in a local authority community home for children, where the number who are disabled is likely to be small, is £64.47.