Hirst M A
Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, Heslington, UK.
Child Care Health Dev. 1997 Mar;23(2):157-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.1997.tb00890.x.
This paper investigates geographical variations in successful and unsuccessful applications to the Family Fund Trust which provides grants to families with severely disabled children. A new measure of take-up is developed which takes account of demographic differences between local social services authorities and relates local take-up levels to national rates. The take-up of grants varies more than twofold across local authorities but is generally higher in deprived areas, suggesting that the help available from the fund is targeting those most in need. Nonetheless use of the fund is less than expected in metropolitan areas characterized by rented accommodation, high rise dwellings and minority ethnic groups. Ethnic monitoring and other measures to promote equal opportunities have recently been introduced. If take-up were uniformly high across England and Wales the current caseload and budget would increase by more than half. Local authorities where renewed efforts might be most effectively targeted to encourage families to apply for a grant can be identified but any publicity would need to ensure that inappropriate applications are kept to a minimum.
本文研究了向重度残疾儿童家庭提供补助金的家庭基金信托成功和不成功申请的地理差异。开发了一种新的接受率衡量方法，该方法考虑了地方社会服务当局之间的人口差异，并将地方接受率与全国比率相关联。各地方当局的补助金接受率差异超过两倍，但在贫困地区通常较高，这表明该基金提供的帮助针对的是最需要的人群。尽管如此，在以出租房、高层住宅和少数族裔群体为特征的大都市地区，该基金的使用低于预期。最近引入了种族监测和其他促进平等机会的措施。如果英格兰和威尔士的接受率普遍较高，目前的案件数量和预算将增加一半以上。可以确定哪些地方当局重新做出努力可能最有效地鼓励家庭申请补助金，但任何宣传都需要确保将不适当的申请保持在最低限度。
