§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has(a) to modify Social Services Inspectorate advice in respect of changing policies and (b) to take other steps in relation to the prevention of hardship prior to the introduction of statutory guidance. [141497]
§ Mr. HuttonWe plan to consult on draft statutory guidance on charges for non-residential social services shortly. When issued as statutory guidance, this will supersede the 1994 Advice Note to the Department's social services inspectorate.
The guidance will make clear that it is not acceptable for charges to cause hardship to individual service users. The Audit Commission study, 'Charging with Care', published in May, contains detailed advice to help councils prevent this.