Funding
Workforce Development Fund
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is a funding stream from the Department of Health, and disseminated by Skills for Care, that supports the ongoing professional development of staff across the adult social care sector.
The WDF covers adult Health and Social Care QCF units completed between 1 January 2014 and 31 March 2015. The funding is calculated on the credit size of the unit, with a credit funded at £15. The funding applies to all staff, including overseas workers and volunteers.
The Kent and Medway Development Partnership, with Kent Community Care Association as lead partner, supports local care providers to access the WDF. The partnership is open to all employers providing adult social care in the Kent and Medway area, as long as they are not NHS funded. This includes hospices and agencies employing social care bank staff.
If you would like to benefit from the funding, please contact Rogelio Alsina, the partnership administrator, either by phone on 0208 133 2839 or email at rogelio@switchedonconsulting.co.uk
WDF 2014-15 Expression of Interest
Workforce Development Fund 2014-15 partnership members guide
Appendix 2 - Table of health and social care qualifications
Direct Payment Traing
People who employer their own staff to provide care and support under the Direct Payments Scheme can access a range of training and development opportunities the following link outlines thoses available in Kent for example Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCiE) providers a range of e-learning resources such as Mental Capacity Act, Dementia and Communication Skills. Kwango offers 4 courses and personal assistants. These are: Adult Protection, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Capacity Act, Personal Assistant Induction and Understanding Autism. Mental Capacity Act offers offers information, training and documents.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a comprehensive learning and development package for anyone aged 16 and over who is starting or has already begun a career in social care. An Apprenticeship is a combination of on and off the job training and learning. On completion apprentices will have an industry-recognised qualification. Apprenticeships offer a cost-effective, low-risk way to grow your workforce and can help improve the recruitment and retention of staff.
Employers with less than 1,000 employees who are new to Apprenticeships or haven’t enrolled someone onto an Apprenticeship programme in the previous 12 months can claim £1,500 towards the cost of this.