Adult Social Care
New services and funding

APRIL 2025

Update on funding for Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed that funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate will continue into the 2025/26 funding year. This will be available under the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS), enabling employers to claim up to £1,540 per eligible care worker to support qualification delivery until 31 March 2026. 

The funding available under the new scheme is more limited compared to previous years and does not include a dedicated allocation for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. To ensure a controlled and manageable roll-out, the DHSC will restrict access to the service on an invite-only basis during the first few months.

The DHSC has also published updated LDSS guidance, which includes a list of over 100 funded qualifications and training courses. Inclusive of increases to reimbursement costs available. 

At TQUK, we are encouraged by the government’s strong commitment to fostering a professional and well-supported social care workforce. Enhancing the skills of those working in social care is essential. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring that training and development opportunities are of the highest quality, relevant and accessible.  

Currently, care providers are facing significant challenges, with nearly a third of their workers leaving each year. This high turnover adversely affects the quality of care delivered. In response, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is investing in strategies to improve staff retention through enhanced workforce training, recognition, and career progression.

The reform initiatives focus on identifying, providing, and funding better workforce training and development, which is set out in the phases below.

Phase 1

During the 2024 – 2025 financial year, training providers were able to apply to be quality assured. Employers were able to claim funding for courses and qualifications identified in the Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce that are not quality assured. 

Phase 2 

In the 2025 – 2026 financial year, courses and qualifications delivered by training providers that have been quality assured will be identified as preferred options for the sector. Employers will be able to claim funding for courses and qualifications identified in the Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce that are not quality assured. 

Phase 3 

In the 2026 – 2027 financial year, only courses and qualifications delivered by training providers that have been quality assured will be eligible for funding or inclusion in the Care Workforce Pathway. Employers will not be able to claim funding for courses and qualifications identified in the Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce that are not quality assured. 

Training providers are invited to apply to have their courses and qualifications quality assured through the Quality Assured Care Learning Service (QACL) if they deliver any qualification that is on the list of eligible training courses and qualifications.

Training providers are invited to apply to have their courses and qualifications quality assured through the Quality Assured Care Learning Service (QACL) if they deliver any qualification that is on the list of eligible training courses and qualifications. 

The following eligible courses approved from TQUK are:  

  • 601/3913/4 Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices in Assessment

  • 603/1935/5 Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

  • 603/3203/7 Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism

  • 610/4174/9 Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

  • 601/4053/7 Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia

  • 601/7940/5 Level 2 Certificate in Dementia Care

  • 601/7430/4 Level 3 Award in Awareness of Dementia

  • 601/4617/5 Level 3 Certificate in the Understanding and Care and management of Diabetes

  • 601/7938/7 Level 2 Award in Awareness of End of Life Care

  • 601/7716/0 Level 3 Award in Awareness of End of Life Care

  • 603/3201/3 Level 2 Certificate in Falls Prevention Awareness

  • 601/4656/4 Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health

  • 610/0103/6 Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

  • 603/2901/4 Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care

  • 610/0955/6 Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care

  • 601/7429/8 Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities

  • 603/3217/7 Level 2 Certificate in the Safe Handling of Medications in Health and Social Care

  • 601/7946/6 Level 3 Award of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

  • 603/2958/0 Level 2 Certificate of the Awareness of Mental Health Problems

  • 603/0156/9 Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness

  • 601/5435/4 Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Working in Mental Health

  • 601/4647/3 Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

  • 603/6251/0 Level 2 Certificate for Oral Care in Health and Social Care

  • 601/7939/9 Level 2 Award in Stroke Awareness

  • 601/1831/3 Level 3 Award in Education and Training