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We’re delighted to announce that the Workforce Development Fund (WDF) 2021-22 is now open to adult social care employers in England to support the development of their staff at all levels, offering funding for a wide range of qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules. The fund, which Skills for Care distributes on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, helped over 14,000 people in 2020/21.

This year the WDF will continue to provide enhanced funding for completion of leadership and management qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules. The funding will support registered managers and other frontline managers with their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certification, ensuring that they’re able to access learning opportunities to continue to develop their knowledge and skills to effectively lead and support the workforce.

Additional priorities may also emerge during the year in response to COVID-19 recovery.

An independent evaluation of the funding found the scheme has brought many positive impacts for social care employers, their staff, and the people they support.

Employers who contributed to the evaluation said that the quality of care they provide has improved as a direct consequence of the WDF, and that they can more effectively meet the specialist or personalised needs of the people who receive their care and support.

They also report that the WDF has helped them to address skills gaps within their teams and that staff morale has improved.

We also know that employers have reviewed and refined their approaches to workforce development and continuing professional development (CPD) as a result of accessing the fund and developing or refreshing training plans.

Skills for Care CEO, Oonagh Smyth, said:

“We are thrilled to launch the Workforce Development Fund for 2021/22.

After a challenging year in which social care workers have faced new and unprecedented challenges yet continued to prove their dedication, courage, and skill, the importance of continuing professional development is more apparent than ever.

We are delighted to hear of the positive impact which the funding has for social care employers, their teams and the people who draw on care and support. As we move forward with our new strategy for 2021-2024 continuing to develop the workforce to ensure we have the right people with the right skills and behaviours to deliver the highest quality care and support, now and in the future – and for that workforce to be valued for the core service they provide our communities – is vital.

The support of the Workforce Development Fund is key in supporting the ongoing development of the social care workforce.”

Find out more

The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) disseminated by Skills for Care. It supports the provision of high quality care and the continuing professional development of staff across the adult social care sector by providing a contribution towards the costs of vocational learning. The fund allows employers to claim back money towards the costs of workers completing a broad range of adult social care qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules.