Employer Guidance on Claiming Funding through the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)

Introduction

The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS), offered by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), provides funding to support the learning and development of the adult social care (ASC) workforce in England. This scheme covers non-regulated care staff, including deputy managers, Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered managers, and agency staff, for the financial year 2025 to 2026. The LDSS is designed to contribute towards the costs of eligible courses and qualifications, enabling staff to gain recognition for their existing expertise and develop new skills.

This guidance explains who is eligible to claim the fund, how to claim, and the documentation required.

Note: The employer will be solely responsible for applying for and managing the funding. We, Inspire London College, as the qualification provider, can assist by offering guidance throughout the process but cannot apply for or manage funding on behalf of your organisation.

Eligibility Criteria

Who is Eligible?

To claim funding through the LDSS, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

Employers must:

Provide an adult social care (ASC) service.
Directly employ care staff in England.
Complete, or have already completed, the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS). For more information and registration, visit the ASC-WDS webpage.

Employees (non-regulated care staff) must:

Be legally employed in England with a UK national insurance number.
Be employed as non-regulated care staff, including deputy managers, CQC-registered managers, and agency staff.
Be working within the ASC workforce, including personal assistants employed by an ASC organisation.

Please note that regulated staff, such as registered nurses, nursing associates, allied health professionals, and occupational therapists, are not eligible for this fund.

Eligible Courses and Qualifications

Employers can claim funding for eligible courses and qualifications that:

Have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 (inclusive).
Appear on the list of Eligible Training Courses and Qualifications. This list may be subject to change, so employers are advised to verify the course eligibility before booking training for their staff.

Claim Process: How to Apply for LDSS Funding

Step 1: Register and Express Interest

Employers must first express interest in accessing the LDSS by registering for the online claims service operated by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). Employers can complete a registration form available on the NHSBSA website.

Step 2: Complete the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)

In order to submit claims, employers must complete, or have already completed, the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS). This is a mandatory step in the eligibility process. Employers can access the ASC-WDS system and submit their data through the Skills for Care website.

Step 3: Onboarding Process

Once an employer expresses interest and completes the ASC-WDS, the NHSBSA will initiate the onboarding process. This is a phased process, meaning that access to the claims service is granted gradually. Employers will be invited to create an account and use the service once they are approved.

Only the employers of eligible care staff are allowed to submit claims; care staff and training providers cannot submit claims independently.

Step 4: Submitting Claims

After registration and onboarding, employers can begin submitting claims for reimbursement.

For Training Courses:

Employers must submit claims upon course completion.
Claims must be submitted by 21 March 2026 (inclusive). Late claims (submitted between 22 March 2026 and 31 March 2026) may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For Qualifications:

Employers should use the combined claims model:

60% of the reimbursement can be claimed upon the employee starting the qualification.
The remaining 40% can be claimed after the qualification is completed.
The initial 60% must be claimed by either 21 March 2026 or within 3 months of the qualification start date, whichever is sooner.
The remaining 40% must be claimed within 3 months of course completion, with all claims completed by 31 December 2026 for qualifications that span beyond March 2026.

Funding Limits and Caps

Capped Reimbursements

The overall funding available under the LDSS is limited, meaning once the funding pot is exhausted, claims submitted thereafter will not be reimbursed. Employers are encouraged to submit claims as early as possible.

There is a cap on the total value of claims that can be reimbursed per claimant organisation. This cap and the maximum reimbursement amount for each course or qualification can be found in the ‘Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme grant determination: and the Eligible Training Courses and Qualifications list.

The maximum reimbursement amounts are not defaults; they represent the highest possible amount, and claims will be reimbursed only for the actual evidenced spend.

Evidence Requirements for Claims

Employers must provide the following documentation when submitting claims:

Employee verification: Confirmation that the employee is working in an eligible non-regulated care role, with a UK national insurance number.

Course or qualification eligibility:

The name of the awarding organisation.
The name of the training provider or learning centre.
The name of the training course or qualification.

Proof of payment:

Name of the organisation that made the payment and the organisation that received the payment.
The course or qualification name and amount paid.
Date of payment and VAT number (if not exempt).

Completion evidence:

Dated certificate of course completion.
For qualifications, 60% can be claimed at the start, and the final 40% upon submission of completion proof.

Employers are encouraged to retain additional documentation related to course enrolment and progress as part of NHSBSA’s post-claim assurance process.

Important Considerations

No funding for repeat courses: If a course is repeated by an employee, the employer cannot claim a reimbursement for the same course.

Internal courses and apprenticeships: Courses delivered and assessed internally by the employer’s own staff or those taken as part of an apprenticeship scheme are not eligible for LDSS funding.

Next Steps

Register your interest by completing the form on the NHSBSA website.
Complete the ASC-WDS via the Skills for Care website.
Check eligibility by reviewing the list of eligible courses and qualifications and ensuring your organisation and staff meet the criteria.
Prepare documentation needed to support your claims.
Submit your claim via the NHSBSA online service after completion or at key milestones (for qualifications).

For more detailed information, employers are encouraged to refer to the full LDSS guidance document and accompanying resources published by the Department of Health and Social Care.