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 2025 to 2026. The LDSS is administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in 2025-26
Update – 23 April 2025
The scheme is now accepting claims for eligible courses and qualifications that have been paid for in financial year 2025 to 2026, as well as those paid for in financial year 2024 to 2025. Regardless of the financial year in which the training course or qualification was paid for, a 3 month claims window applies:
- For training courses – claims must be submitted within 3 months of course completion
- For qualifications – an initial ‘qualification’ start claim must be submitted within 3 months of the qualification being paid for and started (whichever is the later date) and the ‘qualification completion’ claim must be submitted within 3 months of qualification completion.
Upcoming webinar: Making the most of funding for training in 2025–26: the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme
Wednesday 14 May 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 | Zoom
Join this webinar to learn how the LDSS will operate in 2025–26 and how to make the most of available funding for staff training.
Find out more and register.
Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) in 2025-26
Eligible adult social care employers in England can claim staff training costs from the LDSS in financial year 2025 to 2026. 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, has been published on the .
The LDSS was first launched in September 2024 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The scheme supports the non-regulated adult social care workforce to advance their careers, develop new skills and specialisms and gain recognition for their expertise.
In financial year 2024-25, 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 2025-26, adult social care employers can unlock similar benefits for their staff.
The overall funding pot is limited. Once this has been exhausted, claims submitted will not receive reimbursement.
LDSS funding is administered via an online claims service, delivered by NHSBSA. Adult social care employers must first sign up to use the claims service by completing the . After signing up, employers will be contacted by NHSBSA as soon as possible to book an onboarding appointment.
Webinars
We hosted a webinar in November 2024 to provide adult social care employers with essential information on how to claim funding for staff training from the LDSS in 2024-25. .
To find out how to make the most of the LDSS in 2025-26, you can register for our upcoming webinar which takes place on Wednesday 14 May 2024.