Workforce Development Funding 2023/24
The 2023/24 Workforce Development Fund closed on 31 May 2024. Thank you to everyone who claimed WDF through The Care Workforce Development Partnership and Partners in Care.
If you have any questions about WDF in 2023/24 or earlier, please contact Amanda Berey –
Workforce Development Funding 2024/25
In 2024/25 WDF will be scaled down and all employers will need to claim WDF directly from Skills for Care. It will only be possible to claim WDF for qualifications and apprenticeships which started on or before 31 March 2024 and which will complete by 31 March 2025. Please click here for details about the 2024/25 WDF and how to claim.
New Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme Announced
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently issued guidance on a new Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for the adult social care workforce for 2024/25, which includes information on eligibility and how to claim, and how adult social care employers can sign up to express interest in the new scheme and be invited to use a new online digital claims service.
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. The funding is for eligible courses and qualifications that have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive).
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 scheme is for eligible courses and qualifications that have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive). A list of Eligible training courses and qualifications has been published alongside the guidance.
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 new scheme will be administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on behalf of DHSC. NHSBSA will operate a new digital online claims service which employers of eligible care staff can use to submit claims for the LDSS. This claims service is now live. Employers can express their interest in being invited to use the service by completing this form.
The Department of Health and Social Care has not stated the level of funding that is available in 2024/25 under the new scheme, but has advised that the overall funding pot is limited and once this has been exhausted, claims submitted will not receive reimbursement.
A deadline of 21 March 2025 applies for claims submitted this financial year (2024/25). Late claims submitted between 22 March 2025 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive) may be considered on a case-by-case basis. A cap on the total value of claims that can be reimbursed per claimant organisation may be applied.
If you are interested in claiming funding under the new scheme you are strongly advised to express your interest in being invited to use the NHSBSA’s online claims service by completing this form as soon as possible.