- Skills & Career Development
- LDSS Funding & Eligibility
Supporting employers to invest in their workforce
A plain guide to the Learning and Development Support Scheme, and how Andyoeo can help you use it.
Help with the cost of care training
The Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) is run by the Department of Health and Social Care. It helps employers in England fund training and qualifications for non-regulated adult social care staff.
Employers claim back part of the cost of eligible courses and qualifications through an online claims service run by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). Employers sign up with NHSBSA first.
How the scheme can help your organisation
LDSS can make it easier to invest in the people who deliver your care.
Financial support
May reduce the cost of training and qualifications for eligible staff.
Workforce development
Helps your staff gain recognised qualifications and build their professional skills.
Staff retention
Investing in people shows you value their growth, which can encourage them to stay.
Quality improvement
Builds the knowledge and skills staff need to deliver high-quality care.
Career progression
Helps staff prepare for senior, supervisory and management roles.
What an employer needs in place
To claim, your organisation must:
- Provide adult social care in England
- Directly employ care staff
- Be signed up (onboarded) with NHSBSA to use the claims service
- Keep an up-to-date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account that meets the minimum data requirements, and update it at least once a year
ASC-WDS is run by Skills for Care. You are responsible for checking that your organisation meets the current requirements.
Who the funding covers, and who it does not
Eligibility depends on the member of staff as well as the employer.
Eligible staff
Non-regulated care staff, including deputy managers and registered managers, who are employed in England and have a UK National Insurance number. There is no minimum number of contracted hours.
Not eligible: regulated professionals
Regulated professionals such as registered nurses, nursing associates, allied health professionals and occupational therapists cannot be claimed for.
Not eligible: personal assistants
Personal assistants are not covered by LDSS. Skills for Care runs separate Individual Employer Funding for them.
Not eligible: apprenticeship courses
Courses taken as part of an apprenticeship cannot be claimed through LDSS.
Pay first, then claim
Only courses and qualifications on the published eligible list can be claimed, and each item has a maximum reimbursement amount. Funding covers the course or qualification fee only. It does not cover backfill pay, travel or any other costs.
Employers pay up front
You pay the training provider first and claim afterwards. Qualifications must come from an eligible awarding organisation.
Courses
You can claim once the course has been paid for and completed.
Qualifications: 60% and 40%
You can claim 60% once the qualification has been paid for and started, and the remaining 40% after it has been completed.
Three-month windows
Claims must be made within 3 months: of completion for courses, of payment and start for the 60% claim, and of completion for the 40% claim.
How Andyoeo supports employers
You check your own eligibility and submit your own claims. We help with everything around them.
Initial consultation
We talk through your organisation’s training needs and the qualifications your staff require.
Qualification selection
We help you choose suitable qualifications based on staff roles, experience and development goals.
Eligibility guidance
We explain the LDSS requirements and point you to the official government guidance.
Learner enrolment
Learners complete registration, induction and initial assessment.
Training and assessment
Learners receive structured teaching, assessment and progress monitoring throughout their qualification.
Completion documentation
We provide evidence of enrolment, payment and completion to support your claims.
- Important funding information
The LDSS fund is ring-fenced and limited. When it runs out, further claims are not paid, so reimbursement is not guaranteed. Employers are encouraged to claim promptly.
Employers are responsible for confirming their own eligibility and submitting their own claims. Andyoeo cannot guarantee funding approval or reimbursement.
Scheme details checked October 2026. Rules can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK guidance.
Interested in LDSS-funded training?
Contact our team to talk through your organisation’s training requirements.
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