Navigating the LDSS: How to Claim Your Share of the £11.98M Oliver McGowan Training Fund
- Train Direct
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has introduced a massive boost for adult social care providers across England. A ring-fenced pot of £11.98 million has been launched under the new Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). This specific fund is dedicated entirely to helping providers roll out the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
If your organisation needs to upskill staff to meet statutory requirements, this funding is designed to offset your costs. However, it operates on a strict first-come, first-served basis, with a rigid cap of £25,000 per legal entity per financial year.
Here is everything you need to know about what you can claim and exactly how to secure your funding.
What Can You Claim? (The Financial Breakdown)
The LDSS operates as a reimbursement scheme, meaning you pay for or deliver the training first and claim the cash back. Part 1 of the training is a free e-learning module, so the funding specifically targets Part 2 (the live interactive element).
The amount you receive per learner depends on whether you buy the training from an external source or deliver it using your own internal trainers:
Training Delivery Route | Tier 1 (Part 2: Online Interactive) | Tier 2 (Part 2: Face-to-Face Classroom) |
Procured (External Provider) | £25 per learner | £90 per learner |
In-House (Internal Staff) | £12.50 per learner | £50 per learner |
Do You Qualify? Rules for Eligibility
Before you begin the application process, your organisation must meet three essential criteria set out by Skills For Care:
CQC Registration: You must be a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered adult social care provider operating in England.
ASC-WDS Account: You must hold an active account on the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS). Your workplace data must be fully updated to reflect your current staff numbers.
The 3-Month Window: All claims must be submitted within 3 months of the staff member successfully completing their Part 2 training session.
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Funding
The claiming process has moved away from older workforce development models and is now entirely digital. Follow these four steps to submit your claim:
Step 1: Update Your ASC-WDS Portal
Before logging onto the claims system, log into your ASC-WDS Account. Ensure that the staff members who took the training are listed and that your organizational profile is completely up to date. If this step is missing, the claims system will automatically reject your application.
Step 2: Access the NHSBSA Digital Platform
The funding is administered digitally via the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) portal. If you haven’t already registered your legal entity on this system, you will need to complete a brief onboarding process to link your care service to your corporate bank details.
Step 3: Input Training and Learner Evidence
When logged into the NHSBSA platform, you will need to input:
The unique identifiers for your staff members.
The date they completed Part 2 of the Oliver McGowan training.
Digital copies of training certificates or official proof of attendance from your approved training provider.
Step 4: Submit and Monitor Your Reimbursement
Once submitted, the NHSBSA will cross-reference your application with your ASC-WDS records. Because the £11.98 million pot is capped and distributed on a rolling basis, it is highly recommended to upload your evidence immediately after a cohort finishes training rather than waiting until the end of the financial year.
Don't Leave Money on the Table
With a hard cap of £25,000 per legal entity, larger provider groups or those with multiple sites should act fast to map out their training schedules. Securing this funding ensures your staff remain fully compliant with CQC regulations while protecting your care home or home-care agency's bottom line.
Our training includes:
Tier 1 Oliver McGowan Training
Tier 2 Oliver McGowan Training
Delivery for adult social care providers, NHS organisations and charities
Experienced approved trainers
Guidance on accessing available funding
If your organisation needs to deliver Oliver McGowan Training before the March 2027 funding deadline, we can help you plan and deliver training efficiently.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism Tier 2 - From £89.00 per person | £1499.00 for a group of up to 30 - click here for more info
If you would like tailored advice or want to book health and social care training for your organisation, then visit www.traindirect.co.uk to learn more or contact our team to discuss your training requirements.
tel. 0330 223 5596,
email. info@traindirect.co.uk
or complete the form on our homepage to request a call back.
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