A £20 million investment in innovative projects to support people in adult social care and unpaid carers has been announced by the government.

The first tranche of the £42.6 million Accelerating Reform Fund over 2023/24 and 2024/25 is being allocated to lead local authorities, covering all 42 Integrated Care Systems, which deliver adult social care services and will work with a range of partners including the NHS, care providers, voluntary and community groups.

Minister for social care, Helen Whately, said: “We’re sticking to our plan to deliver ambitious social care reforms that will ensure everyone gets the care they need and help even more people to live independently.

“Alongside our workforce reforms, we’re supporting the sector by backing innovations which will make our care system fit for the future and provide vital support to our selfless unpaid carers.”

The Accelerating Reform Fund will expand community-based care models such as Shared Lives, a service that matches people aged 16 and above with approved carers.

The funding will also develop innovations and digital tools focused on identifying and supporting unpaid carers. For example:

• Local authorities in Coventry and Warwickshire will expand a digital carers self-help tool to equip carers with the ability to identify local support and access bespoke information to support their own well-being.
• Local authorities in West Yorkshire will use the funding to connect hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses with unpaid carers so they can donate holidays and experiences to carers to recognise their invaluable contribution to society.
• In Southwest London, the funding will scale up approaches for identifying unpaid carers, such as through hospital discharge programmes and referring them to carers networks.

Kathryn Smith, chief executive officer of the Social Care Institute of Excellence, said: “We’re excited about the opportunities offered by the Accelerating Reform Fund, which is uniquely focused on innovation in social care. Whether digital innovation or new ways to deliver support, local people who draw on care and the millions of amazing unpaid carers delivering care around the clock stand to benefit significantly from the Fund. 

“It’s great to see the range of projects now emerging from local authorities working in partnership all over the country. We’re determined to support local leaders to find ways to overcome obstacles to innovation to improve lives.”