§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of the crossroads care attendance scheme; and what action he is taking to encourage the extension of the scheme to new areas.
§ Sir George YoungDuring the two and a half years of existence of the crossroads care attendant scheme trust there has been a steady growth in the number of crossroads schemes. Sixteen schemes are now fully operational in England and two in Scotland; three more are expected to become operational by the end of 1979–80 and it is hoped that several more will commence in 1980. In the past year 70 care attendants have helped about 400 physically disabled people to live at home with their families.
224WI attach much importance to the development of these schemes as a humane, effective and comparatively low-cost extension of domiciliary care services. The Department has recently increased the grant to the trust for 1979–80 to enable it to appoint a development officer.