The current LDSS funding scheme is scheduled to close on 31 March 2026, meaning care providers have only a limited time left to submit new eligible claims. Through the scheme, employers can recover the cost of staff training and recognised qualifications, helping them strengthen workforce skills while reducing the financial burden of development.
If your organisation is already registered for LDSS, it is important to ensure that any new eligible claims are submitted before the deadline. Claims already submitted within the system will still be honoured.
For providers who have not yet registered, you have just a few weeks to join the scheme and reclaim training and qualification costs for your workforce, supporting staff development, skills growth, and long-term retention.
In this blog, you will fully learn about the LDSS Funding scheme, the eligibility criterias, requirements for care providers and step-by-step guide on how to claim your funding before the deadline.
What Is LDSS Funding?
The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) is a government initiative designed to support learning and professional development across the adult social care workforce in England.
The scheme enables eligible care providers to claim reimbursement for approved training programmes and qualifications completed by their staff. By supporting workforce development, LDSS aims to improve the quality of care delivered while helping employers invest in staff skills and career progression.
Funding can be used for a range of recognised qualifications and training programmes across adult social care roles. The scheme supports non-regulated care staff, registered managers, and agency workers.
Under the current scheme structure, employers can typically claim:
- 60% of eligible training costs once course starts
- 40% once the qualification or training programme has been completed
To ensure claims are processed successfully, providers should also note that initial claims must be submitted within three months of staff enrolment.
Who Can Claim LDSS Funding?
The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) is available to CQC-registered adult social care employers in England who are investing in training and development for their workforce.
The scheme covers a wide range of workers within the care workforce, including:
- Non-regulated care staff
- Deputy managers
- Registered managers
- Agency workers supporting adult social care services
This means many organisations across the sector including domiciliary care services, residential care homes, supported living services and other adult social care providers delivering regulated services may be able to recover training costs through the scheme.
To claim LDSS funding, employers must also meet a few key requirements. In most cases, providers should:
- Be delivering adult social care services in England
- Have an active and up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account
- Ensure that at least 90% of staff records are completed within ASC-WDS
👉 Learn more about Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)
What Training Can Be Claimed?
LDSS funding supports a range of qualifications and training programmes designed to strengthen the adult social care workforce. These programmes help care staff build essential skills, improve care quality, and progress in their careers.
Eligible training typically includes recognised qualifications and specialist learning relevant to adult social care roles. Many care providers use the scheme to support both new staff entering the sector and experienced staff progressing into senior or leadership positions.
Some of the most commonly claimed qualifications include:
Eligible Qualification | Maximum Reimbursement (2025–2026) |
Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate | £1,540 |
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care | £835 |
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management | £1,565 |
These programmes cover a broad range of learning needs, from foundational care skills to leadership and management training. You can literally build a whole workforce with the LDSS funding.
Steps to Claim LDSS Funding Before Deadline
The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) is designed to make workforce development more accessible for adult social care employers. However, care providers must complete a few important steps shown below to access the funding.
Step 1. Register with the Adult Social Care Workforce
To access LDSS funding, employers must first create or update their Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account.
ASC-WDS is the workforce data system used across the adult social care sector in England. Employers typically need to ensure their staff records are up to date and sufficiently completed in order to qualify for funding.
Registration is straightforward and usually takes around 5–10 minutes.
👉 Register or update your account
Step 2. Register Interest in LDSS Funding
Once an employer has an active ASC-WDS account, they can register their interest in the Learning and Development Support Scheme.
The scheme is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), which manages the onboarding process for employers accessing the funding.
Step 3. Submit a Claim for Eligible Training
After staff have enrolled in eligible training or qualifications, employers can submit a funding claim for reimbursement.
The claim process typically requires:
- Confirmation of training enrolment
- Evidence of course payment
- Confirmation of course completion
Once approved, employers can receive 60% of the reimbursement initially, with the remaining 40% paid after the training has been completed.
Common LDSS Funding Mistakes to Avoid
Many care providers miss out on LDSS funding simply because of small administrative errors. With the 31 March deadline approaching, avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure your claim is successful.
1. Late Claim Process
Some providers assume there is still plenty of time, but claims often require checking staff records, confirming course eligibility, and completing the submission process. Leaving everything until the last minute can lead to missed opportunities.
2. Outdated ASC-WDS Records
To qualify for LDSS funding, employers must have an up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account. If staff records are incomplete, the claim may not be accepted.
3. Choosing Ineligible Training
Not every course qualifies for LDSS reimbursement. It is important to ensure that the training programme aligns with approved qualifications or eligible learning programmes.
4. Wrong Claim Submission
Some providers complete the training but fail to submit the LDSS claim correctly or before the deadline. Without a valid claim submission, reimbursement cannot be processed.
5. Missing the 31 March Deadline
Once the 31 March deadline passes, providers may no longer be able to claim funding for eligible training delivered within the scheme window.
Available Support for Care Providers to Claim LDSS Funding
Navigating funding schemes can sometimes feel complicated, especially when deadlines are approaching. In the past months, Access Skills have successfully supported many care providers to claim the LDSS funding and boost their workforce.
If you’re a care provider who needs support to claim funding for your team, just reach out to Access Skills at info@accessskills.co.uk or call us on 0121 510 2169 and our experts will support you through the funding claim process from start to finish and ensure your staff are enrolled on the eligible programmes.
By choosing Access Skills, you benefit from:
- Guidance on LDSS funding eligibility
- Proper documentation required to claim funding
- Expert support in choosing qualifications that meets funding requirements
If you are training new care staff, experienced practitioners, or leaders within your organisation, Access Skills can help ensure the learning programmes you choose align with current funding opportunities.
Act Now – Secure LDSS Funding Before 31st March
If you need more resources to help you with the LDSS funding claim process;
