§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health under what legislation local authorities are empowered to pay supplementary grants for people with learning disabilities living in unregistered homes.
§ Mr. YeoLocal authorities can use the provisions of paragraph 2(1)(a) of schedule 8 to the National Health92W Service Act 1977 to provide financial support for people in unregistered residential accommodation who are in receipt of social security benefits. This power will be subsumed into section 26 of the National Assistance Act 1948 from 1 April 1993.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to introduce legislation requiring all group homes for people with learning disabilities to be registered with the local authority;
(2) what research the Government are funding or considering funding into the future status of unregistered homes for people with learning disabilities.
§ Mr. YeoNone. The Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 comes into force on 1 April. It extends the requirement for registration of independent residential care homes to homes for fewer than four residents. Like the Registered Homes Act 1984, the amendment Act applies only where personal care as well as accommodation and board are provided.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the implications of the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act 1991 for homes which are currently unregistered which have four or more residents.
§ Mr. YeoIndependent homes which provide personal care as well as board and accommodation for four or more people are required to register under the Registered Homes Act 1984. If some, but fewer than four, residents receive such services, registration as a small home will be required when the Registered Homes (Amendment) Act comes into force in April.