Community Care (Hansard, 14 February 1992)

§ Mr. Nicholas Bennett

[holding answer 13 February 1992]: We continue our programme of wide-ranging measures to imlement the reforms set out in the "Caring for People" White Paper (Cm 849) which will improve community care.

This includes: Comprehensive guidance on assessment and care management, and centrally financed pilot projects in each county. Guidance on the preparation of fully joint social care plans, which are being prepared under the leadership of social services authorities working with health, family health service and housing authorities, and in full consultation with user and carer interests. These are to be published by 1 April. A requirement that social services authorities and their partners should publish readily understandable guides for users and carers setting out arrangements for assessment and care management, standards of services, and for complaints and other representations if services do not live up to those published standards. A unique central funding scheme to encourage the development of more flexible forms of community care for elderly people and people with physical or sensory disabilities, under which 46 projects are already being supported, with more to follow next year. Central funding for a training support programme to help prepare front-line staff. Further resources will be available in the coming year.

In introducing these measures, we have built upon the experience gained in Wales from our unique mental handicap and mental illness strategies which continue. My right hon. Friend will announce shortly his proposals for the development of the mental handicap strategy from April 1993.

On top of the record levels of resources we are providing to health and social services authorities for their discretionary use within our policies and programmes, we are providing nearly £43 million of direct grant for community care. We will announce soon additional resources for 1992–93.