§ Lord Rixasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will provide further support for those local authorities currently undergoing reorganisation which are unable to resolve locally the major difficulties in planning and budgeting on an integrated basis for meeting the health education and social care needs of children and adults with severe learning disabilities.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)New unitary authorities, having responsibility for health, education and social services, will be able to plan on an integrated basis in ways that may not have been possible previously. Where costs are incurred as a direct result of reorganisation, authorities may apply to the Department of the Environment for additional supplementary credit approvals. Some £50 million of extra funding was made available in this way in 1995–96, and some £100 million has been allocated for 1996–97.
The Department of Health will shortly be issuing guidance to local education and health authorities and social service departments entitled Child Health in the Community: A Guide to Good Practice; my department 109WA and the Department of Health have agreed jointly to fund research to establish models of effective co-operation in dealing with children with special educational needs, including those with severe learning disabilities; and will also shortly be issuing a joint guidance document about the transition from school to FE, training or employment of young people with disabilities. All of these initiatives will offer guidance on roles and responsibilities and emphasise the need for effective collaboration. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health has responsibility for adults with severe learning difficulties.