Learning and Development Support Scheme Q4 Update
Sign up now to claim funding for learning and development this financial year!
The Department of Health and Social Care provides funding for learning and development for the adult social care workforce, via the new Learning and Development Support Scheme. Launched in September 2024, the scheme allows eligible employers to claim for funding for certain training courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible care staff. The funding is being delivered via a new online claims service, administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
In order to submit claims, you must have an account on the online claims service. To set up an account, sign up here via this short form. Once you’ve completed the survey, NHSBSA will contact you as soon as possible to book an onboarding appointment, and will support you to set up an account and submit your first claims.
For this financial year, the deadline for claim submission is 21 March 2025 (inclusive).
This deadline applies to:
- All claims for eligible training courses that were started and paid for between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive). Training courses must be completed before a claim can be submitted.
- All claims for 60% of the reimbursement value for eligible qualifications that were started and paid for between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive). The remaining 40% can be claimed upon qualification completion, up until 31 December 2026. Please see the ‘Claiming for qualifications’ section below for further information on the claims timeframes for qualifications.
Any eligible employers intending to claim from the LDSS this financial year should sign up as soon as possible and set up an account, even if you are not ready to claim straight away. This will allow time to onboard, familiarise yourself with the platform and submit your claims by the deadline.
Why are we advising you to set up an account as soon as possible?
Eligible employers must have an account on the online claims service in order to submit claims. We advise employers not to leave this until the last minute, to ensure timely submission of claims before the deadline.
Claims must be submitted by 21 March 2025 (inclusive) to be eligible for reimbursement.
Late claims submitted between 22 March 2025 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive) may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What about completion claims for qualifications (40% payments)?
(Please note: All claims for eligible training courses must be submitted by 21 March 2025.)
For eligible qualifications, a ‘combined claims’ model applies, whereby employers can claim 60% of the reimbursement value once the qualification has been started and paid for. The remaining 40% reimbursement can be claimed upon qualification completion.
All 60% reimbursement claims for qualifications that have been started and paid for between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive) must be submitted by 21 March 2025 (inclusive). The remaining 40% can be claimed upon qualification completion, up until 31 December 2026.
Please refer to the guidance on GOV.UK for further information on the combined claims model for qualifications.
Important update on claims for internally delivered training
There has been an update to the eligibility and evidence requirements for the Learning and Development Support Scheme.
The scheme will now accept applications for eligible courses and qualifications that are delivered and assessed internally where appropriate evidence can be provided (as outlined in the ‘Evidence requirements’ section in the guidance on GOV.UK). This must include proof of payment.
Appropriate evidence for internal training claims could include proof of payment to an awarding organisation for learner registration and certification fees, or proof of payment to a third-party training subsidiary. If you have any queries on internal training and evidence requirements, please contact ASClearninganddevelopmentsupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
The evidence requirements for internal training have been updated as of January 2025 following feedback from the adult social care sector. Claims for eligible training courses and qualifications delivered internally are subject to the same timeframe requirements as for those delivered by an external provider, applying to courses and qualifications started and paid for on or after 1 April 2024. Please see ‘Submitting claims’ on the GOV.UK guidance page for further information on the timeframes for claiming.