The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has introduced the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate - a new qualification developed to support UK adult care workers. A limited number of these apprenticeship places will be funded by the government’s Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS).
The UK care sector is suffering under the strain of a shortage of qualified staff. Training providers like Impact Futures are enabling individuals with a passion for care excellence to obtain the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to ease this industry burden, as well as facilitate meaningful careers and a high standard of care delivery.
Now, the UK government has also taken action in the form of this new qualification, in an effort to ease the pressure on care organisations, and facilitate an influx of freshly qualified care professionals, to reinvigorate the industry.
There is a limited amount of funding available via the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) for the adult social care workforce, offered by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for the financial year of 2024 to 2025. Applicants are advised to act quickly.
In terms of eligibility, learners must be aged 19 and over to enrol. This is because the qualification doesn’t contain any English or Maths, making it more suitable for people with more life experience who need less support with these skills. That said, to keep in line with Department for Education policy, it’s important for younger learners to continue the study of English and Maths until aged 19.
The qualification has been developed from the 15 Care Certificate standards, which are widely used throughout the industry. Astonishingly, over 50% of the current care workforce don’t hold an accredited qualification. However, the sector is blessed with experienced and committed colleagues who deserve to be acknowledged for their skilled care.
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate will provide a route for them, reaffirming care work as a career, and aiding care companies to recruit and retain the right talent.
During the development of the certificate, the DHSC discovered that 48% of employers didn’t accept a Care Certificate from a prior employer. In addition, 37% of care workers had to recomplete this when moving jobs.
These findings highlighted a real need to set the new care certificate apart from other inductions, and prevent repeat training via an accredited qualification.
The course itself covers 15 key topics and areas, subject to Skills for Care and Ofqual approval. These include:
…and much more.
There is a very limited amount of funding available via the LDSS. It can be used to fund courses and qualifications that started on or before 31 March 2024 and will complete by 31 March 2025.
This funding pot works as a reimbursement scheme. Once the funds have been exhausted, claims submitted will not receive reimbursement.
A portion of the funding can be claimed in advance of the learner completing the qualification. For example, 60% of course costs can be claimed for once proof of payment and evidence the employee has started the course is provided. Once the employee has completed the course, the remaining 40% can be claimed.
The funding only covers the cost of the apprenticeship. Funding can’t be used for associated costs, such as travel fares or stationery.
If the apprenticeship is completed but not passed, reimbursement may still be made, providing proof of completion is supplied. However, repeat courses per employee are not eligible for reimbursement. Claims can be submitted online. This is accessed through a portal on GOV.UK.
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate is an essential for staff in the social care sector. Potentially, this is an opportunity for adult care provides to upskill teams at little to no cost – a move that is sure to positively impact the sector as a whole.
To find out more about the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. Reach out to the Impact Futures Team on 01753 596 004 if you have any questions. We’ll be standing by to support you.
We’re all about making an impact, be that individuals making an impact through their day-to-day work, or by organisations making their impact on our economy.
As a national training provider, we make this impact throughout the UK, with expertise in childcare, healthcare, clinical and business skills apprenticeships.
If you have any questions, whether it be about this article or anything else, complete the form below, call us on 01753 596 004, or email us.
Both the Impact Futures and The Childcare Company brands are used interchangeably for both Impact Futures Training Limited and The Child Care Company (Old Windsor) Limited.
