§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information is available to her Department about the numbers and circumstances of children who are indirectly affected by HIV and AIDS because their parents or carers are infected with the virus; and what assessment her Department has made of the extent of support likely to be required for the children if they cannot be cared for by their parent or parents;
(2) what guidance she has issued as to the information on which social services departments should base their plans for the support or provision of care for children who are indirectly affected by HIV or AIDS because of the illness of their parents or carers.
§ Mr. SackvilleSo far as numbers of children indirectly affected by HIV are concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 July 1993, at column378.
The Children Act 1989 and the guidance and regulations associated with it set out local authorities' duties towards children in need. For services for children both infected and affected by HIV or AIDS this is supplemented by "Children and HIV" which gives detailed guidance to local authorities to assist them in planning and providing services. The guidance encourages HIV awareness amongst service providers, and describes good practice.
The Children Act and associated guidance and regulations provide a policy framework through which local authorities, in collaboration with other agencies, can develop comprehensive plans for all children in need in their locality.
Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library.