Funding Update

5th August 2024

Following the recent election, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have now provided us with a significant update on the funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate.

They outlined the decision not to continue with the launch of the Adult Social Care Training and Development Fund proposed by the previous Government, this follows the Chancellor’s announcements about the public finances and a requirement for all Departments to provide in year savings.

However, they have reassured us that they are committed in their support for the adult social care workforce, and although the Adult Social Care Training and Development Fund is not being taken forward, they still intend to provide funding to support the learning and development of the adult social care workforce. This funding will be at the same level as previous years.

They also stated that further details about how and when this funding will be administered will be shared in due course.

OCN London are committed to providing this newly updated regulated qualification, and our team are on hand to provide you with any additional advice and support, on delivery of the qualification, and the resources and materials available to you.

We will keep you updated on the availability of funding for the Certificate as soon as we have the information.

Further details about our Adult Social Care Certificate can be found here

If you would like to speak with us about what this development means for you and your teams, please get in touch with us at innovation@ocnlondon.org.uk

Post Election Update

15th July 2024

Following the General Election and its result, on 11th July Awarding Organisations approved to offer the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate were invited to attend an update meeting with the Department for Health and Social Care with Skills for Care attending.

The meeting outlined that there is ongoing discussion about the proposed funding but no further information is yet available. However, the DHSC expects to update the new Social Care Minister in the coming weeks.

We encourage any providers or employers interested in delivering the qualification to contact us directly for further guidance, support, and information at innovation@ocnlondon.org.uk

Update on Funding – General Election

30th May 2024

On the 29th May, all Awarding Organisations with approval from Skills for Care for the updated Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, received an email from the Department of Health & Social Care, in relation to the funding available for employers wishing to offer this qualification to their staff.

The planned launch date for the qualification, along with the associated funding, was June 3rd 2024.

Due to the recent announcement of the General Election, taking place on 4th July 2024, the DHSC have stated that ‘any decisions or wider activity relating to making that funding available should be suspended for the time being, pending fresh consideration by the government that will form following the General Election.”

OCN London are still committed to supporting those wishing to offer the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, and whilst we await further updates on the funding offer and mechanism, we will continue to be available to discuss delivery and assessment options.

If you have any questions at all, please contact our Head of Qualifications Development and Assurance, Steph Hulford at steph@ocnlondon.org.uk

Approval by Skills for Care

3rd May 2024

On 3rd May, OCN London were amongst one of the first awarding organisations to be approved to deliver the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. The qualification is available with immediate effect and there is a variety of guidance, support, workbooks and assessment materials available to those wishing to deliver it.

Please get in touch with us at innovation@ocnlondon.org.uk to arrange a demo.

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate update – Funding

16th April 2024

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) have recently updated their guidance on the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate.

The funding for the newly updated qualification will come via the Adult Social Care Training and Development fund, intended to support the upskilling of the Adult Social Care workforce in England.

Eligible care sector employers will be able to claim reimbursement for the training via a new digital online claims service, due to be introduced this summer.

Over £50 million of the total ASC fund value is set aside to help up to 37,000 people working in direct care roles to undertake the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification by March 2025.

The fund is intended to be administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and updated guidance is due to be published in the coming months.

Eligibility for the funding is outlined by the DHSC and states that employers must;

• Provide an adult social care service
• Directly employ care staff in England
• Have completed Skills for Care’s Adult Social Care Workforce Data Service registration

The funding available per learner carries a maximum amount of £1500 and eligible candidates must be;

• aged 19 and over
• working in a direct care role

OCN London’s qualifications team are currently working on the delivery and assessment models for the certificate and we anticipate that it will be available to approved Centres in June 2024, pending approval.

We also welcome Care sector employers who are considering delivering the qualification to their employees and looking to explore their options.

If you would like to arrange an initial chat with our team, please contact us at innovation@ocnlondon.org.uk

Useful links

Adult Social Care Training and Development Fund: a guide for employers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification (skillsforcare.org.uk)

Getting started with ASC-WDS (skillsforcare.org.uk)