Since its launch in 2011, the Workforce Development Fund (WDF) has helped to support over 140,000 learners complete adult social care qualifications and learning programmes. It provides social care employers in England with a means to offer learning and development opportunities to their workforce, which otherwise may not be possible due to the cost.
In 2017/18, more than 3,400 organisations claimed money from the WDF towards developing their employees. The WDF makes your training budget go that little bit further, helping to ensure your workforce has the right knowledge and skills to offer high quality care and support to the people they work for. Research into the WDF1 revealed that employers found “that the WDF has helped them to address skills gaps and staff morale has improved.”
If you’re an adult social care employer operating in England you can apply for the funding. Employers can claim up to £1,200 per learner, per funding year, upon completion, towards the cost of listed qualifications and learning programmes. The amount of funding you can apply for depends on the qualification of learning programme.
Here are some examples of what could be claimed:
- Level 2 Diploma in Care: £690
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care: £870
- Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care: £1,050
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services, adult pathways: £1,200
- ‘Lead to Succeed’ learning programme: £350
If you’re interested in learning more about the WDF and finding out how your organisation can benefit visit https://goo.gl/Dmcbs9
1 Impact Evaluation of the Workforce Development Fund (2015-17) and the Workforce Development Innovation Fund (2014-17) published by Skills for Care, November 2017.
