Supporting People Jargon Explained

							Supporting People uses a lot of terms and phrases that are
unfamiliar. Sometimes it can seem like an entirely new language
and for those who aren’t ‘clued-up’ it can be confusing.

The following list should help to untangle some of the mysteries
surrounding Supporting People jargon. If you come across an odd
phrase during your journey with Supporting People that isn’t listed
below, please contact us and we’ll include it in the list.

Accreditation

The process by which a commissioning body will determine
whether a service provider has the competence and capability to
provide a service that is viable and of the required quality.

Administering Authority

The body which receives the Supporting People Grant and
administers contracts for Supporting People services, on behalf of
the Commissioning Body.

Benchmarking

Similar Services are compared in terms of quality, performance
and cost. This is one way of ensuring that services are continually
improving.

Best Value

A duty on local authorities to review the services they provide for
local people and improve them by the best means available. This
must be done in consultation with the people who use the services
and the wider local community.

Block Gross Contract Non-Chargeable also know as Block
Gross Contract (Exempt)

This is a contract relating to the provision of a predetermined
volume of service over a fixed period of time; but where each
service user will only receive the service on a short-term basis, i.e.
less than two years. Service users will not be charged for the
provision of this service. DCC pays the full contract price to the
provider.
Block Gross Contract Chargeable

This is a contract relating to the provision of a predetermined
volume of service over a fixed period of time; but where each
service user will receive the service on a medium to long term
basis, i.e. anything not considered "short-term". Service users will
be charged for the provision of this service through the application
of the Council's Fairer Charging Policy unless passported to a free
service by reason of being in receipt of Housing Benefit. SGC pays
the full contract price to the provider, and reclaims any service
user contributions direct from the service users.

Block Subsidy Contract

This is a contract relating to the provision of service up to a
predetermined maximum volume over a fixed period of time; but
where each service user will receive the service on a long term or
permanent basis. Service users will be charged for the provision of
this service through the application of the Council's Fairer
Charging Policy unless passported to a free service by reason of
being in receipt of Housing Benefit. The Service Provider collects
any service user contributions direct from the service user and
SGC pays the service provider the balance of the contract price in
respect of the eligible Supporting People places occupied.

BME

Black Minority Ethnic.

CLG

Communities and Local Government – Government Department
responsible for Supporting People

Commissioning Body

The Commissioning Body is made up of representatives from the
Council and health and probation services. Its role is to
strategically direct and scrutinise the programme.

Contract Reviews

The Supporting People team ensure providers are delivering to a
minimum standard and provide value for money.
Contract Schedules
These will be attached to the contract. They will provide
information on the service to be provided and the price to be paid
for this service.

Core strategy Development Group

A group that considers operational matters around the delivery of
the programme and make recommendations to Commissioning
Body. Member representation includes LA officers, Probation and
Health, Service Providers and User Representatives.

Cross-Authority Provision

A service designated to provide support for service users
originating from another Administering Authority's area.

DV/DA

Domestic Violence/Domestic Abuse

Eligibility Criteria

A document that sets out what tasks Supporting People money
can pay for and those it cannot.

Fairer Charging

Abbreviation for Fairer Charging for Home Care and other Non
Residential Social Services. This is the statutory guidance issued
by the Department of Health, which governs the locally set
charging policy for Supporting People-funded services.

The Fairer Charging financial assessment is a locally set means
test that will be used to assess how much service users have to
pay for their support service, if they do not already receive a free
support service and they are not eligible for Housing Benefit.

Floating Support

Support that is provided to individuals and households, irrespective
of tenure, and which may continue if needed when their housing
situation changes.

Foundations
The National Co-ordinating Body for Home Improvement Agencies
(HIAs) under a four year Government contract awarded by the
CLG (former ODPM). Its main roles are to: develop and expand
the HIA movement; provide advice, training and support to the
staff, managing agents and sponsoring authorities of the HIAs;
monitor the activity and performance of HIAs; and represent the
HIA sector in discussion with Government and other stakeholders.

Grant Conditions

Produced by the CLG, these set out how the money is to be spent
and how the programme is to be managed

Home Improvement Agency (HIA)

An agency which enables vulnerable people to maintain their
independence in their chosen home for the foreseeable future.
May include older people, people on low incomes, disabled people
etc. The homes would usually be in the private rented, leasehold
or owner-occupied sector.

Housing Benefit

A means tested state benefit paid to tenants who need help paying
their rent.

LSVT Authority

Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (of local authority housing stock).
LSVT Authority denotes a local authority that has transferred its
housing stock to a Registered Social Landlord.

Managing Agent

Organisation providing housing management services on behalf of
another body, often a Registered Social Landlord. The managing
agent may also provide support services.

Needs Mapping

The AA has systems in place to update the housing related
support needs of all vulnerable groups and at appropriate intervals
analyse the outcomes of reviews and the implementation of the
five year strategy for the programme
Registered Social Landlord (RSL)

A non profit-making voluntary group, generally a Housing
Association, formed to provide affordable housing.

Sheltered Housing

Aimed at older and/or disabled people. Includes grouped housing
with resident or visiting warden, and bungalows and flats that are
dispersed.

Steady State Contract

A contract put in place (1) to replace an interim contract following
review of the services covered by the interim contract or (2)
following a tender for the provision of services in accordance with
the Councils standing orders.

Steady State

This refers to the period after 1st April 2003, when Supporting
People is in force.

Support Provider

Organisation providing housing-related support services - could
include Registered Social Landlords, voluntary sector
organisations, local authorities and the private sector.

Support Service

A service eligible for funding through Supporting People. This
could include advice on maintaining a tenancy, help with filling in
forms, help with keeping accommodation safe and secure, etc.

Supporting People Grant

The sum of money paid to the Administering Authority by the CLG
(former ODPM), from 1st April 2003, for the purpose of
funding housing-related support services. This funding previously
came from sources that have now been replaced by the
Supporting People Grant.