The Department for Health and Social Care has published guidance for the new Learning and Development Support Scheme. This scheme allows adult social care employers to claim funding for the Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate.
Funding for this new qualification, developed in conjunction with Skills for Care, had previously been suspended by the government.
The full guidance can be accessed at Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce: a guide for employers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The Learning and Development Support Scheme will have a digital online claims service that allows adult social care employers to claim funding for certain training courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible care staff. Funding will be available for eligible courses and qualifications that have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
The Learning and Development Support Scheme approved course list includes the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate Qualification. Eligible employers can claim funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate on behalf of eligible care staff for up to £1,500 per qualification. For the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, a combined claims model will apply. Employers must claim 60% of the reimbursement value upon their employee starting the qualification, with the remaining 40% provided on proof of course completion.
This funding is more limited than the previous scheme with no dedicated funding specifically for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. The guidance also highlights that the overall funding pot is limited and that once this has been exhausted, further claims will not be reimbursed.