Workforce Development Funding
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which is distributed by Skills for Care through a network of employer led partnerships. Care Development East is the employer led partnership in Suffolk and distributes the funds to members of the partnership.
The fund allows you to claim money towards the cost of learning programmes such as Diplomas and Apprenticeships (or employer contributions) but can only be claimed once a candidate has completed their full qualification. Funding is only eligible for qualifications and apprenticeships dated between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2024 and learning/digital programmes completed between 1 January 2023 and 29 March 2024. A maximum of £2000 can be claimed for each learner.
The allocation of funding will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
What qualifications can I claim for?
In 2023-24 WDF can be used to claim RQF Qualifications across all levels and other key sector priorities including:
Funding to support new managers, existing managers, deputies and aspiring managers
Investing in managers represents an investment in their services, their staff and the quality of care they provide. Enhanced funding is available for completion of leadership and management qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules.
Guidance and support on developing leaders and managers.
Enhanced funding per learner for completion of the listed apprenticeship standards
Employers can claim funding in two stages for learners on the Adult Care Worker, Lead Adult Care Worker, Lead Practitioner in Adult Care and Leader in Adult Care apprenticeship standards – upon completion of the diploma and after the end-point assessment has been passed.
Full list of eligible qualifications
Evidence
A full copy of the learner’s certificate including the unit breakdown showing the complete qualification must be provided and can only be accepted if it is dated between 1 January 2023 and 28 March 2024 for digital/learning modules and between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2024 for qualifications and apprenticeships.
Once you have this evidence you need to complete an Employer claim form to send with the certificate to Care Development East. Your claim will be processed and sent to Skills for Care. Any queries with the claim will be addressed with you before being forwarded. Claims need to be submitted by 28 March 2024 for digital/learning modules and qualifications and apprenticeships by 31 May 2024 to be eligible for this year's funding.
We will acknowledge your claim on receipt but cannot specify how long it will take until you receive your funding.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about eligible qualifications or the claiming process please call the Care Development East office and chat with a member of the team. We are very happy to talk you through the process, or please email wdf@caredevelopmenteast.co.uk
We have also created a handy claiming process WDF Flowchart to help you navigate your way through the requirements for claiming or find out more
The WDF will be scaled down in 2024-25. It will only be possible to claim WDF for learning which is already in progress. This means that qualifications and courses which start on or before 31 March 2024 will be eligible for the WDF as long as the learner completes and the certificate is issued by 31 March 2025. This is to ensure that employers who have already paid for learning and development are not left out of pocket. Courses and qualifications which start on or after 1 April 2024 will not be eligible for funding through the WDF.