Government plans to give care workers and patients more control over their care will be tested with the announcement of six trial areas.
It is also targeting increased use of direct payments to patients and their families by proposing tougher legislation to ensure councils alert people to this service.
The move is part of a larger overall project that the government hopes will result in all those requiring care becoming responsible for commissioning their own services, something which has raised concerns.
The Department of Health (DoH) believes these measures will give frontline social care workers more flexibility to work with the people they support and their carers to improve their outcomes.
Meanwhile, the new legislation will mean all councils must ensure there is a full and open discussion about direct payments.
This, it said, builds on best practice that is common in some councils already.
Paul Burstow MP, the Care Services Minister, said the trials were aimed at encouraging joint working across health and social care and making personalised care a reality.
"The coalition is determined to give people more control over their care and support," he said.
"Our plans will free up front line social workers to do what they do best: help people maintain their independence. This shift in power will give people greater control over their care and support."
The Social Work Practice pilots are organisations led by social workers but independent of local authorities that will provide social work services for specific groups of adults and carers in their community.
The six chosen areas are: Birmingham City Council, London Borough of Lambeth, North East Lincolnshire Care Plus Trust, Shropshire Council, Suffolk County Council and Surrey County Council.
