§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking in response to the proposal by the Social Services Committee of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to change its policy on domiciliary care services for disabled people by referring them for institutional care where it would be less costly than maintaining them in the community. [HL1220]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Regional Social Services Inspectorate has had discussions with the Social Services Department of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets about the council's planned guidelines for domiciliary care packages. The council has provided assurances that, using the resources available to them, they intend to operate within the current policy framework, which includes emphasising the need to focus on individual users' needs and maximising independence. We understand, for example, that the council is planning to introduce a direct payments scheme in the near future. The relevant Regional Office of the Social Services Inspectorate is continuing to keep a close watch on the situation.