The government has announced a £20 million boost in funding for adult social care.

The funding will towards "innovative" projects supporting people in adult social care and unpaid carers across the UK, such as community shared-living arrangements where carers support people in their own homes.

It builds on the government’s long-term support for adult social care with £8.6 billion additional funding invested in adult social care over this financial year and next, and £327 million to support carers through the Better Care Fund.

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

Under this scheme, people move in with their Shared Lives carer on a short- or long-term basis, giving people with care needs more freedom and autonomy and allowing them to live more independently in the community. Short-term care through Shared Lives also supports unpaid carers by providing them with more flexibility and breaks.

Helen Whately, minister for social care, 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."
 

She said: "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."

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."

The Accelerating Reform Fund provides a total of £42.6 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support innovation and initiatives in adult social care services across the country, focused on developing and scaling sustainable and effective types of support for people with care needs.

£20 million 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. £20 million is the first tranche of funding for the 2023 to 24 period.