Current Petitions

The next petition is PE522, from Ms Carol Main, calling on the Parliament to encourage the Scottish Executive to investigate and remedy the lack of care homes for young physically disabled people in Scotland, including in the Tayside area. We have received responses from the Executive and COSLA. The Executive's response makes it clear that responsibility for the provision of services for children and adults with disabilities lies with local authorities, and that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care is responsible for regulating and monitoring a range of care services and taking into account national standards.The statistics provided by the Executive, which are admittedly rather crude, show a rise in the number of residential care homes, but a drop in the number of residents and available beds. The number of young physically disabled people in homes appears to have remained reasonably static in recent years. The Executive has simply given a statement of the statutory and regulatory position and has not addressed the petitioner's main concerns, which are that, in practice, a young physically disabled person finds it extremely difficult to find a place in a suitable care home.COSLA was unable to provide any information on difficulties that local authorities might experience in implementing national policies and argued that the Executive is better placed to provide such information.Although the petition deals specifically with the needs of young physically disabled people, it could be argued that it raises similar issues to those raised in PE551, on St Meddan's Court, and in PE576, on Leslie House, which deal with the reduction in the number of available residential care home places for the elderly. Do members agree that the three petitions should be linked, along with PE599, which has just been submitted and which is on the same issue?

The issue is important at any time, but it is of special importance in this European year of people with disabilities. I am in favour of linking the petition with the other petitions, as suggested in the recommendations. Members should also be aware that a special conference is being held at Heriot-Watt University on 28 February, dealing with care provision and alternatives such as the mutual option. I declare an interest: as a Co-operative Party member, I like to promote the mutual way of addressing problems such as this one.

Shall we agree to link this petition with the others that deal with residential places? That is essentially what the petition is about. We will note the points that Phil Gallie makes, but let us also agree to seek the comments of Capability Scotland on the petition itself and on the correspondence between the Executive and the petitioners, before finally deciding. Capability Scotland could provide us with useful information on how to handle the matter. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.