Access government-funded qualifications for your care workforce through the Learning and Development Support Scheme. Occuteach is an approved LDSS provider.
The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) is a government-funded initiative launched by the Department of Health and Social Care in September 2024. It enables eligible adult social care employers in England to claim back the costs of staff training and qualifications from a central funding pot administered by NHS Business Services Authority.
The scheme supports the non-regulated adult social care workforce to advance their careers, develop new specialisms and gain formal recognition for existing expertise. LDSS has been confirmed to continue into the 2026–27 financial year, though funding is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis — once the pot is exhausted, no further claims can be made.
Occuteach delivers a comprehensive range of LDSS-eligible qualifications accredited by iCQ, covering dementia care, end-of-life care, mental health, diabetes management, medication administration, falls prevention, adult care leadership, and education and training.
Click any benefit to find out more about what LDSS means for your organisation.
Eligible employers can claim back the costs of staff qualifications directly from the government funding pot. This means your organisation can invest in workforce development without bearing the full financial burden — making accredited training accessible and affordable.
Every LDSS-eligible qualification at Occuteach is accredited by iCQ and carries formal recognition from UK employers and regulatory bodies including CQC. Your staff gain credentials that genuinely advance their careers and demonstrate competence.
Investing in formal qualifications demonstrates to CQC inspectors that your organisation takes workforce development seriously. Properly qualified staff contribute to better outcomes, safer care, and stronger inspection results across all key lines of enquiry.
Staff who feel invested in are staff who stay. Offering funded qualifications shows your team that you value their professional growth, reducing turnover and building a more experienced, stable workforce that delivers consistently high-quality care.
LDSS-funded qualifications cover specialist areas including dementia care, end-of-life care, diabetes management, mental health awareness, medication administration and falls prevention — equipping your team with the knowledge to deliver expert, person-centred care.
All LDSS qualifications at Occuteach are delivered via online distance learning with regular assessor support via Teams. Your staff can study around their shifts and commitments with no need to take time out of the workplace for classroom attendance.
LDSS funding is available to eligible adult social care employers in England.
All 19 qualifications below are available through Occuteach and eligible for LDSS funding.
Five simple steps to access government funding for your workforce training.
Register or update your Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set account at skillsforcare.org.uk. This is required to verify your eligibility and takes around 5–10 minutes.
The NHS Business Services Authority manages the LDSS funding service. Register your interest early — employers are onboarded in stages and the funding pot is limited.
Contact our team on 01934 910 333 or via our website to discuss the right LDSS-eligible qualifications for your workforce. We handle all the enrolment.
Your staff study online with full assessor support via Teams. Regular progress reviews, portfolio guidance, and personalised feedback ensure they succeed.
Claims must be submitted within three months of course completion via the NHSBSA claims service. Occuteach provides all the documentation you need for a smooth, successful claim.
The Learning and Development Support Scheme is a government initiative from the Department of Health and Social Care, administered by NHS Business Services Authority. It allows eligible adult social care employers to reclaim costs for staff training and qualifications from a centrally held funding pot.
Yes. DHSC has confirmed that LDSS funding will continue into the 2026–27 financial year. However, the overall funding pot is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the pot is exhausted, no further claims will be reimbursed — so early engagement is strongly encouraged.
LDSS funding covers non-regulated adult social care staff including care assistants, support workers, deputy managers, CQC-registered managers, and agency staff. Your organisation must have an up-to-date ASC-WDS account to be eligible.
Yes. The iCQ Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate — which is the accredited Care Certificate — is fully funded through the LDSS. This is one of the most popular qualifications for new care workers and provides essential foundational knowledge for the sector.
Duration varies by qualification. Awards typically take 2–4 months, certificates 4–6 months, and diplomas 6–12 months. All Occuteach qualifications are delivered flexibly online so staff can study around their existing shifts and commitments.
Claims are submitted via the NHSBSA online claims service within three months of course completion. Occuteach provides all the certification and documentation you need. Contact our team and we can guide you through the process step by step.
While we can't set up the account on your behalf, our team can guide you through the registration process and answer any questions. ASC-WDS registration is straightforward and typically takes around 5–10 minutes at skillsforcare.org.uk.
Speak to our team about which qualifications are right for your workforce — and let us help you make the most of government funding before the pot runs out.
Enquire About LDSSOr call us on 01934 910 333
