The Workforce Development Fund for 2022-23 has now launched supporting the social care workforce with ongoing learning.
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) 2022-23 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.
In 2022-23 WDF will continue to provide additional support to registered managers and frontline managers as this is key to providing quality care and supporting the workforce. Enhanced funding will continue to be available for the completion of leadership and management programmes.
You can claim up to £2,000 per learner per funding year through Workforce Development Fund. You can claim funding for the same learner in multiple funding years, to support their personal development and career progression.
To benefit from the 2022-23 WDF you must complete/submit a declaration form before 28th February 2023, ensure your Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) account meets WDF requirements by 31st March 2023 and claims must be submitted to Skills for Care by 31st March 2023.
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 reported that they can more effectively meet the specialist or personalised needs of the people who receive their care and support, that the WDF has helped them to address skills gaps, and that staff morale has improved.
Skills for Care CEO, Oonagh Smyth, said.
‘We are delighted to launch the Workforce Development Fund for 2022/23. We know from the insights included in our annual ‘State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report released this month, that investing in learning and development is one factor which can contribute to better staff retention. Our data shows that, if someone has 30 incidents of training or more they have 10% lower turnover – thats because when we invest in developing our people they feel more fulfilled and motivated in their role.
‘Despite the pressures that we know people are under right now, last year we saw an increase in the proportion of staff with qualifications in social care which shows that employers are investing in their workforce at this crucial time and that people want to develop. The Workforce Development Fund is so important in supporting these opportunities.
Adding, ‘This year we’ll be continuing to provide enhanced funding for leadership and management training, which is key to building the leaders of the future who can continue to meet the growing and changing needs of those who draw on care and support.’
For more information about the Workforce Development Fund and how to apply, visit the Skills for Care Website by clicking here.
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