£22.6m announced for unpaid carers’ tech support

Following the biggest increase in the threshold for the Carer’s Allowance since the 1970s, new digital innovations are being rolled out across England. 

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, has announced a £22.6million funding boost for technologies that will support unpaid carers in England. Priorities include supporting people to take much-needed breaks and increasing flexibility. 

Money is being released this week through the Accelerating Reform Fund, and will go to local authorities already running successful support schemes. These include new ways to identify and recognise unpaid carers, preventing people from being left behind. Carer assessments will also be digitised, improving access across departments, and new services for hospitals.

‘Unpaid carers are the country’s unsung heroes. They provide invaluable support to vulnerable people every day,’ said Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock. ‘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.’

A number if initiatives are also being introduced in various regions. Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are introducing technology to better monitor vulnerable people at night, helping carers become more independent. In Worcestershire, video is being deployed so healthcare workers can observe patients after discharge, reducing readmission rates. 

Elsewhere, authorities in Lincolnshire are developing an arts, heritage and nature activities programme for carers and those with care needs, incorporating painting, floral art and printmaking. Meanwhile, in London the Think Carer campaign has launched, providing support through health and lifestyle checks, and counselling for carers.

Medway Council and Kent County Council are digitising self assessments, making it easier for unpaid carers to find information, advice and guidance. An employers carers toolkit has also been created.  

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.

4,300 years of DWP and HMRC work can be saved through AI

CCS looks to private companies for guidance on £4.2bn transport technology spend

Half of Scottish local authorities have plans for assistive tech telecare