On 24 October 2023, DHSC’s ASC Innovation and Improvement Unit launched the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) which provides a total of £42.6 million over 2023/24 and 24/25 to support innovation and scaling in adult social care and to kick start a change in services to support unpaid carers. This fund includes CQC's commitment to invest up to an additional £25 million to support unpaid carers.

The ARF will support local areas to take forward projects, guided by a list of priorities for innovation and scaling, but relevant to their local areas. Local authorities should work collaboratively with partners in their Integrated Care System (ICS) geographies, including the NHS, care providers and voluntary and community sector groups.

The purpose of the ARF is to support at least two projects in each area, with one of those having a particular focus on unpaid carers. All projects should consider co-production with people who draw on care and support and unpaid carers, ensuring they are inclusive of the diverse needs of local areas.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) will be offering hands on support to local areas to take forward their priorities for innovation. Local areas will be able to work with SCIE to develop local partnerships, set-up and deliver projects. Local areas can contact SCIE for support here: innovation@scie.org.uk.

A national evaluation partner will also be evaluating whether the programme has been successful at tackling the barriers to innovation, the success of SCIE’s support offer, and the ways local areas can continue to scale and adopt new innovations after the ARF has been delivered. 

Local authorities in collaboration with partners in their integrated care system geography are invited to submit their expression of interest to DHSC by 12 January 2024.

Read more here.