The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) – all you need to know

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Identifying opportunities for your teams to grow

Employers know that it’s always great to upskill their staff. However, often, the deciding factor is how much training is going to cost.

At tend, we help employers to source funding schemes and options that will take the burden off their budgets. In some cases, certain learning programmes are eligible for funding possibilities that others aren’t. One of these options is the government’s Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS).

What is LDSS? How does it work? Which programmes are eligible? Join tend now as we explore the facts and help you figure out whether its right for the training your team needs.

What is LDSS funding?

The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) is a government funding scheme which was launched by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in September of 2024.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide financial support/reimbursement for training and qualifications of staff working in adult social care, specifically those in non-regulated roles.

What are the eligibility criteria for LDSS funding?

Let’s break down the eligibility criteria for both employers and learners:

• Employers – To claim LDSS funding, and employer must provide adult social care services in England; directly employ staff in England (i.e. not only use external or contract-only staff); and have an up-to-date record on the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (otherwise known as ASC-WDS).
• Learners – Eligible staff must be non-regulated adult social care workers, including roles like care workers, deputy and CQC-registered managers, and agency staff; they must be legally employed in England, and able to provide a UK National Insurance Number. It’s important to note that ‘regulated’ roles (i.e. formally regulated professions) are not covered.

The only other important thing to note is that the scheme is not meant for personal assistant employed directly by individuals, or for regulated professionals.

What training is covered by LDSS funding?

Certain approved training courses and qualifications, tailored for adult social care, can be reimbursed through the LDSS.

Typical eligible training includes (but is not limited to):

• Basic and advanced care qualifications (for example, certificates/diplomas in Adult Social Care
• Leadership and Management courses for care service managers and team leads
• Training in specialisms such as autism, learning disabilities, dementia care, person-centred care, palliative care, communication skills, etc.
• Some mandatory training programmes, such as special funding is available for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism (also known as ‘Oliver’s Training’)

LDSS-eligible programmes offered by tend

The LDSS-eligible courses that tend offers are:

• Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
• Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care

All these courses are priced against the LDSS, potentially making the cost neutral for the employer and learner.

Our team can’t guarantee the funding will be granted. That said, it is well worth taking the opportunity to apply for it. The window in which to apply is currently open until March 2026.

How does the LDSS application process work?

Employers with a valid ASC-WDS account must first register to apply for funding. There will be an onboarding form to fill in via NHSBSA’s online claims service.

Once registered, employers can submit claims for eligible courses/qualifications once staff have completed training; or, in the case of longer qualifications, once the course is paid for and has been started by the learner.

The claims deadline for training courses is within 3 months of course completion. For qualifications, it’s split into 2 parts: an initial 60% claim once the qualification is paid for and underway; and a claim for the remaining 40% once the course is completed.

The only exception to these timings is for the aforementioned ‘Oliver’s Training’ – which you can discover more about on the GOV.UK website.

Though it might seem like a lot to remember, don’t worry! The great thing about having tend as your training provider, is that we guide you through the whole process, and offer all the support you could ever need.

Final thoughts

For any employer looking to upskill their staff, it’s always worth exploring all available funding options, as it might be possible to access training at no cost.

At tend, we work with employers to identify every available funding opportunity, ensuring the most cost-effective route to an optimised team of skilled and qualified care employees.

The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) applies to a specific range of programmes. If the training you’re seeking for your staff falls within the criteria, tend will support you in the application process.

Funding schemes are designed to help as many professionals as possible gain access to the training they need to succeed as individuals, enable teams to thrive, and bolster the care sector workforce overall. There’s nothing to lose by exploring every funding option available, so that you can maximise your team’s capacity for care excellence – which benefits everyone.

Are you looking into LDSS eligibility for your team’s training needs? Reach out to the tend team today. Call 01753 596 004, or hit the button below.