Second report of the Standing Committee on the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Disabled Persons.

  • Great Britain. Standing Committee on the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Disabled Persons
Date:
1949
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second report of the Standing Committee on the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Disabled Persons. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    with the Village Settlements at Papworth and Preston Hall for the training of persons recovering from tuberculosis who are able to work at least three hours a day. An indication has been given by Voluntary Undertakings that income from voluntary sources is tending to get less and this will no doubt necessitate a greater measure of financial assistance from the Ministry of Labour and National Service to some of these undertakings. Local Authorities 64. After prolonged negotiations with the Local Authorities and other bodies interested in the training and employment of blind persons arrangements have and National Service. The whole cost of training adult blind persons will now be borne by the Ministry and a capitation grant of £80 a head will be paid to Local Authorities in respect of each blind person employed in an approved, workshop for the blind provided that the expenditure of the Local Authority is not less than this figure. 65. The National Assistance Act, 1948, gives Local Authorities power and, where directed by the Minister of Health (or, in Scotland, the Secretary of State), imposes on them a duty to provide for the welfare (including employ- ment) of blind, deaf, or dumb persons and others who are substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity or such other disabilities as may be prescribed. The Local Authorities must exercise their powers in accordance with schemes submitted by them and approved by the Minister of Health (or Secretary of State for Scotland). In the Committee stage of the Bill in the House of Commons the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Health gave assurances that ‘“‘ nothing in the Bill alters the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act and the relationships between local authorities and the Ministry of Labour in this matter” (i.e., the employment of disabled persons) “‘ remain unchanged.” The Parliamentary Secretary added : “‘ There their functions do not overlap.” The Health Departments have circularised Local Authorities suggesting that prior to the formulation of schemes they should open discussions with all other organisations actively concerned includ- ing local offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. Home Workers 66. The Disabled Persons Employment Corporation have commenced Home Workers Schemes based on Remploy Factories for the employment of severely disabled persons who are home-bound. Difficulties have been encountered, particularly in the engagement of supervisors, and the Corporation have sought co-operation from the Women’s Voluntary Service, who may be able to assist with Voluntary Supervisors. Schemes have now been started in connection with the Remploy Factories at Bridgend (covering also Aberdare and Cardiff), Bristol, South-East London, Halifax, and Edinburgh and developments are expected at other factories as soon as practicable. Altogether 84 Home Workers were employed by the Corporation on 16th August, 1948, some of them very Workers scheme in operation in connection with St. Loyes College for the Disabled at Exeter which covers a good portion of the South-Western area. Encouragement is being given to voluntary bodies to extend Home Workers Schemes where possible.. os : . 16 Ree aly yes ts
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