ASG Funding

KPS advise clients and their organisation to approach their local Social Services Departments – Naturally, the AIDS Support Grant Allocation for Social Care (Respite and Special Needs) is and should be still available. Although, the specific ‘Ring-Fencing' has been withdrawn this funding stream is still available. I have transcribed the directive regarding Local Authority HIV/AIDS Social Care Allocations for 2011/2012 which was issued to local authorities and HIV Special Link Social Workers by the Department of Health ASG Office.

Following the spending review announcements in October 2010, the AIDS Support Grant (ASG) will roll into the main formula grant paid to local authorities by the department of Communities and local government from 1st April 2011 and cease being a specific grant. However, provision has been made for 2011/12 HIV social care allocations, which have been calculated using the ASG allocation formula, still to be identified by individual authority under the new arrangements.

With the move to formula grant, allied to the removal of the ASG ring-fence in 2010/11, authorities now have complete discretion over any HIV/AIDS allocations spend on the grounds, according to their local priorities. However, it is useful to remind your local authority of the purpose behind and opportunities provided by the funding allocated given that local authorities have the lead responsibility for the provision of social care for people living with HIV. Also in the developing of HIV social care services those people and organisations involved will wish to be aware that the consultation document “Health Lives, Healthy People: consultation on the funding and commissioning routes for public health” was published on 21 st December 2010 proposes that from 2013 ring-fenced budgets would be allocated to local authorities to improve the health and wellbeing of local populations. These ring-fenced budgets will fund both improving population health and wellbeing, and some non-discretionary services, such as open-access sexual health services.

A consultation document was also published on 20th December 2010 called ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Transparency in Outcomes' which includes a focussed set of national outcomes goals and supporting indicators which patients, the public and Parliament will be able to use to judge the overall progress of the NHS. This includes proposals for three sexual health outcomes including late diagnosis of HIV infection, Chlamydia diagnosis rates and under 18 conception rates.

These documents are available below:

Healthly Lives - Consultation

Healthy Lives - Outcomes

HIV/AIDS Social Care Funding

The general aims of the HIV/AIDS social care funding provided by central government are:

•  Authorities SHOULD ensure that carer who are providing regular and substantial care to people with HIV/AIDS are aware of their right under the carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 to request an assessment at the time of the service users assessments.

•  Authorities and PCTs SHOULD ensure that carers of people with HIV/AIDS are able to benefit from carers services and the provision of short breaks.

•  Plans for people with HIV/AIDS should be integrate with those for other service users, in particular children and families and people with drug-related problems. Attention SHOULD also be paid to the need to ensure arrangements are also integrated at an operational level.

•  Effective working between housing agencies and health and social care providers is essential. Local authorities SHOULD ensure that housing practice and social care for people with HIV/AIDS is properly co-ordinated.