New technology and innovations in care will improve the lives of unpaid carers and care users following a funding boost announced by the Minister of State for Care.
The Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, has announced a £22.6 million boost for initiatives that will improve support for unpaid carers in England, including projects to help give carers much-needed breaks and greater flexibility, as well as technology to make their lives easier.
Money will be released through the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) to support successful schemes run by local authorities.
They include:
- new ways to identify and recognise unpaid carers to ensure nobody is left behind
- digitising carers’ assessments so that they are easier to access
- setting up carers’ support services in hospitals
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “Unpaid carers are the country’s unsung heroes.
“They provide invaluable support to vulnerable people every day.
“It is vital they too have the support they need so they can look after their own health and wellbeing.
“This funding will allow local authorities to harness the full potential of technology to give carers more flexibility and help with these crucial roles.
Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive at Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), said: “SCIE is excited to be delivering the ARF support programme to participating local authorities.
“Nearly 70 per cent of the local projects address the needs of unpaid carers.
“Others are using innovation to drive greater productivity and to improve people’s care experiences.
“We expect the learnings from the programme to generate insights about how to scale and spread innovation within social care.”
The ARF is also supporting some areas in the country to scale up community-based care models.
These enshrine ‘home first’ principles that enable people to live independently for longer, such as through the Shared Lives service, which matches people with care needs with approved carers who share their homes.
At the Budget last month, the Chancellor announced the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold will increase by over £2,300, providing unpaid carers the opportunity to earn more while simultaneously caring for their loved ones.
This is the largest increase to the earnings limit since the Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976.
Councils will also receive £1.3 billion of new funding for 2025 to 2026, including at least £600 million for social care.
This is alongside an extra £86 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant to bolster support for councils and those with social care needs to prolong their independence and reduce hospitalisations.
The government aims to tackle the challenges facing adult social care and build a National Care Service so everybody can access the high-quality care they deserve.
