Disabled People: Local Authority Services

HL Deb 25 March 2004 vol 659 c114WA

Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What services and assistance designed to assist disabled people local authorities are required by statute to give. [HL1998]

Lord Warner

The NHS and Community Care Act 1990 provides the legislative base for the provision of community care services, and in particular Section 47 places a duty on authorities to assess the needs of anyone who seems to them to be in need of community care arranged by the authority.

Section 2(1) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act 1970 requires local authorities to arrange the provision of a range of services for those disabled people they consider to need them. The services which are to be provided as needed are:

1. (a) practical assistance in the home;
2. (b) provision, or assistance in obtaining, radio, television, library or similar recreational facilities;
3. (c) lectures, games, outings or other recreational facilities outside the home, or assistance in taking advantage of educational facilities available:
4. (d) facilities for, or assistance in, travelling to and from home for various purposes;
5. (e) assistance in arranging adaptations to the home, or the provision of additional facilities designed to secure greater safety, comfort or convenience;
6. (f) facilitating the taking of holidays;
7. (g) meals, whether at home or elsewhere;
8. (h) provision, or assistance in obtaining, a telephone and any special equipment needed to enable the disabled person to use it.