Workforce Development Fund
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) managed by Skills for Care closed on 31 March 2025.
Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)
A new Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for the adult social care workforce was introduced in 2024/25 and has been extended for 2025/26. Information on eligibility and how to claim, and how adult social care employers can sign up to express interest in the scheme and be invited to use the online digital claims service can be found here.
The Department of Health and Social Care is providing funding under the LDSS to support learning and development for ‘non-regulated care staff’ (see definition below). Eligible employers can claim funding for certain training courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible care staff.
Non-regulated members of the adult social care workforce, including agency staff, are those employed in:
- Direct care roles; and
- Managerial roles, including CQC-registered managers and deputy managers
The LDSS is intended to provide financial contributions towards learning and development, helping the non-regulated adult social care workforce to complete courses and qualifications. This provides an opportunity for non-regulated care staff, including CQC-registered managers, deputies and agency staff, to gain recognition for existing expertise, and develop new skills and specialisms. Eligible employers can claim funding towards the cost of these courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible employees.
The funding can only be used for the cost of the course or qualification. Funding cannot be used to cover:
- Backfill pay
- Travel costs
- Any other associated costs
The scheme is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on behalf of DHSC. NHSBSA operates a digital online claims service which employers of eligible care staff can use to submit claims for the LDSS.
If you are interested in claiming funding under the scheme you are strongly advised to express your interest in being invited to use the NHSBSA’s online claims service by completing this form. In order to submit claims, you must have an account on the online claims service. Once you've completed the form, NHSBSA will contact you as soon as possible to book an onboarding appointment, and will support you to set up an account and submit your first claims.