Government confirms continued training funding for adult social care workforce
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that its Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) will continue into the 2025–2026 financial year, providing ongoing funding to support training across the adult social care sector.
The scheme enables eligible employers in England to claim back the cost of approved training courses and qualifications for their staff, helping to strengthen skills and improve the quality of care delivered.
What is the funding scheme?
First introduced in 2024, the LDSS offers financial support for training completed between April 2025 and March 2026.
It is open to a wide range of the workforce, including:
- Care staff
- Registered managers and deputy managers
- Agency workers in adult social care
Employers can reclaim training costs through a straightforward claims process, making it easier to invest in staff development without taking on the full financial burden.
Funded courses and qualifications
The scheme covers a broad range of training, including:
- Core care qualifications
- Specialist training, such as dementia and autism support
- Leadership and management programmes
A full list of eligible courses and qualifications is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-learning-and-development-support-scheme/eligible-training-courses-and-qualifications
These include nationally recognised qualifications as well as important training designed to improve care for people with specific needs.
Benefits for health and social care providers
The continuation of this funding brings several key advantages for providers:
Reduced costs
Training can be expensive, but this scheme allows employers to recover much of the cost, making development more affordable.
Improved quality of care
Better-trained staff are able to deliver safer, more effective, and more person-centred care.
Stronger staff retention
Providing development opportunities can increase job satisfaction and help retain staff in a sector that often faces high turnover.
Career progression
Workers can gain recognised qualifications and develop new skills, supporting progression into more senior or specialised roles.
Wider workforce development
The scheme supports a broad range of providers, helping to build a more skilled and consistent workforce across the sector.
Supporting the future of care
By continuing this funding, the DHSC is reinforcing its commitment to developing the adult social care workforce. With demand for services continuing to grow, investing in training is seen as a key step in improving both workforce stability and the quality of care people receive.
Providers are encouraged to explore the available training options and make full use of the funding while it is available.