The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for the adult social care workforce is offered by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for 2026 to 2027. The LDSS is administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in 2026-27
Update – 16 March 2026
DHSC has announced that the LDSS funding will continue in 2026-27 to support adult social care employers and their staff to undertake eligible courses and qualifications.
As outlined in the , the overall funding pot is limited. If the funding pot is exhausted, no further claims can be made, and they will not be reimbursed.
To claim LDSS funding, you will need an Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset (ASC-WDS) account.
A reminder that a three-month claims window applies:
- for training courses - claims must be submitted within three months of course completion (including for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, which is funded by a separate ring-fenced LDSS funding pot.
- for qualifications – claims are split into two parts:
- The ’60 part’ of the claim must be submitted within three months of the qualification being paid for and started (whichever is the later date) and you can claim 60% of reimbursement.
- The ’40 part’ of the claim must be submitted within three months of qualification completion – this is when you can claim the remaining 40% reimbursement.
If you have questions relating to the LDSS, please email asclearninganddevelopmentsupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
You can explore our FAQs on the LDSS to learn everything you need to know about the funding.
Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in 2026-27
Eligible adult social care employers in England can claim staff training costs from the LDSS in financial year 2026 to 2027. The funding is available for non-regulated care staff, including deputy and Care Quality Commission-registered managers and agency staff, within the adult social care workforce.
Updated information, including guidance for employers and a list of courses and qualifications eligible for funding, is available on the , where you can find the LDSS guidance document.
The LDSS was first launched in September 2024 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and this scheme promotes opportunities to develop skills and knowledge that are essential to raise the status of adult social care as a career.
In previous financial years, adult social care employers claimed millions of pounds towards learning and development, enabling their care staff to gain new skills and specialisms, secure recognition for existing expertise, and improving the quality of care delivered. By engaging in the LDSS in 2026-27, adult social care employers can unlock similar benefits for their staff and those with the opportunity to develop and progress in their role are far more likely to remain within the adult social care workforce
LDSS funding is administered via an online claims service, delivered by NHSBSA. Adult social care employers need an ASC-WDS account first before they can sign up to use the claims service, where the requires completing. After signing up, employers will be contacted by NHSBSA as soon as possible to book an onboarding appointment.
When considering eligible LDSS courses or qualifications, employers may wish to refer to the list of training providers approved by the Quality Assured Care Learning Service, which is delivered by 国产乱伦 on behalf of DHSC.
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Use our visual flowchart to understand how to access LDSS funding in 2025-26.
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Explore our FAQs on the LDSS to learn everything you need to know about the funding (Last updated 22 December 2025).
Webinar: Making the most of funding for training in 2025–26
In May 2025, we were joined by DHSC and NHSBSA to share key information about accessing funding for staff training through the LDSS in 2025-26.