This is the second batch of funding from a £42.6m pot, with the first £20m having been released in 2023/24.
The investment will be used for projects that will give carers much-needed breaks and greater flexibility, as well as technology to make their lives easier.
The move will be announced today (28 November) at the National Children and Adult Services Conference by Stephen Kinnock, the minister of state for care.
The money will be released next week through the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) to support successful schemes run by local authorities.
New initiatives
Initiatives that are being rolled out across the country include:
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- Technology to enable remote monitoring of people with care needs at night.
- Video technology to support carers when people are discharged from hospital to allow remote monitoring from healthcare workers.
- A workshop programme of arts, heritage and nature activities for unpaid carers and people with care needs, including sessions in painting, floral art, and printing.
- A ‘Think Carer’ campaign to help people to recognise themselves as carers and provide additional support through introducing health and lifestyle checks and carers’ counselling services.
- A project to digitise self-assessments, so unpaid carers can easily find the information, advice and guidance that they need to make their lives easier.
Unsung heroes
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% 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.”
In the Budget last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold will increase by more than £2,300, providing unpaid carers the opportunity to earn more while simultaneously caring for their loved ones.
