Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) continues funding of up to £13.3 million for adult social care learning and development in financial year 2026/27

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) will continue in financial year 2026/27, with up to £10 million available to support eligible adult social care employers to invest in training courses and qualifications for their staff.

Alongside this, the government will continue funding of up to £2.3 million for the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) for newly qualified social workers and up to £1 million for the User-Led Organisations (ULO) fund, supporting learning for those working in more personalised care arrangements such as personal assistants. From FY 2026/27, ASYE and ULO funding will be administered by NHS Business Services Authority (previously administered via Skills for Care).

There will also be continued funding for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism in 2026/27, with further details to be confirmed in due course.

Further information, including guidance and application routes, has been published on GOV.UK Adult Social Care Learning and Development Programme. We encourage employers, sector partners and organisations to share this guidance, so that as many eligible organisations as possible are aware of the support available.

Adult Social Care Learning and Development Programme – GOV.UK

Eligible HCPA leadership courses under LDSS include:

• Lead to Succeed (5 days)
• Understanding Performance Management – one day
• Understanding Self-management – one day
• Understanding Workplace Culture

Essential training:

• Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disabilities & Autism 

Qualifications:

• Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate
• Level 3 Certificate in Understanding the Care and Management of Diabetes
• Level 4 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management for Adult Care
• Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care

You can find out more about the LDSS, and links to get you signed up, here. This fund can be accessed by care providers in England and not just in Hertfordshire. To be eligible for the LDSS you need to:

To be eligible for the LDSS, you must:

1. Complete the LDSS  onboarding form with the NHS Business Support Authority (NHSBSA)
2. Arrange and complete your onboarding call
3. Update your Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) this is an annual requirement

We recently ran a webinar which takes you through the onboarding process step by step, the link for this is below: