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 – 22 December 2025
DHSC is pleased that the LDSS has already supported many adult social care employers and their staff to undertake eligible courses and qualifications this financial year.
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.
Due to good levels of demand for LDSS funding, and to support effective planning, if you have a claim ready, you are encouraged to submit this as soon as possible. A reminder that a 3-month claims window applies to LDSS courses (not including Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training), meaning:
- for training courses, claims must be submitted within 3 months of course completion.
- for qualifications, a ‘combined claims’ model applies, whereby each claim is split into two parts.
- You must claim 60% reimbursement when the qualification has started and been paid for. This is known as the ‘60 part’.
- You must then claim the remaining 40% reimbursement when the qualification has completed. This is known as the ‘40 part’ and this funding is not guaranteed following a ’60 part’ claim.
- The ‘60 part’ of the claim must be submitted within 3 months of the qualification being paid for and started (whichever is the later date). The ‘40 part’ of the claim must be submitted within 3 months of qualification completion.
For information about Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and funding to support, which is available via a separate pot of LDSS money, please visit here.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the timeframes to claim, or any other query relating to the LDSS, please email asclearninganddevelopmentsupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
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.
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.
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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).