The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 received royal assent on 9 May 1970. The Act required local authorities to provide welfare services to disabled people who fell within section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948 (those who were blind, deaf, people with learning disabilities or mental illness and disabled people).

The 1948 act had already given local authorities powers to provide services. However, the 1970 act compelled local authorities to provide a range of services including:

• practical assistance
• home adaptations
• provision of or help with procuring access to recreational activities – such as outings, TV services or educational services, and the provision of meals at home.

Although the act encouraged expanded community based services, it did not adequately fund such services.

The act also placed a duty on local authorities to find out how many people in their areas required services and assistance. Furthermore, the act required local authorities to:

• publish information on the services available
• inform those who were in receipt of services about the services most suited to their needs.