Scots support scheme

Older, disabled, and vulnerable people needing support in their
homes are set to benefit from a new Scottish executive
initiative.

Under the Supporting People scheme, local authorities will pull
together and co-ordinate duties currently carried out by a range of
statutory agencies.

East Dunbartonshire Council is one of the first local
authorities to be awarded interim funding of an extra £319,000
over three years and will take over the existing duties of Scottish
Homes and the Department of Social Security.

The scheme will be introduced to every Scottish council by
spring 2003.