Workforce Development Fund
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is a funding stream from the Department of Health disseminated by Skills for Care. It focuses on the achievement of qualification units and supports the ongoing professional development of staff across the adult social care sector.
For employers, accessing WDF significantly contributes towards the costs of workers' completing units and qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
It can also be used to help fund the delivery of intermediate and advanced level Apprenticeships in social care.
The fund is distributed by Skills for Care via a network of employer led partnerships and large national organisations (contract holders):
- An 'area or national partnership' is a collection of social care employers who come together to 'pool' their workforce development needs.
The lead partner of an employer led partnership is responsible for disbursal of WDF to its members, and for supporting those members to comply with Skills for Care's eligibility criteria and evidence requirements.
- A 'national' employer partnership - is a partnership whose membership spans across more than two areas as per Skills for Care's classification.
Large national organisations are responsible for distributing funding within their organisation to individual establishments.
The fund can only be utilised by adult social care providers that employ social care staff within England.
WDF 2013 - 2014: Funding now available
Employers can access funding now by joining a local employer led partnership.
For further information on what is funded and how to access funding please visit:
accessing WDF 2013 - 2014
If you hold a grant to disburse WDF 2013 - 2014 then you can find information to support the claiming of funds by visiting: WDF 2013-2014 grant holders
Further information
Skills for Care has produced two fact sheets about the WDF 2013 - 2014 and how to access the funding:
- Employer_fact_sheet_WDF_2013-14
- Training_provider_fact_sheet_WDF_2013-14
- What makes a good lead partner
Rogelio Alsinna shares his experience of disbursing the Workforce Development Fund (WDF) over a number of years, highlighting what has worked well for the Bexley Care Qualifications Partnership, which has Crossroads Care Bexley as the lead partner.
Case study - For a list of successful applicants please click here.
There are a range of Frequently Asked Questions about WDF 2013 - 2014.
Please email wdf@skillsforcare.org.uk if you have any further questions.
To receive the very latest information on WDF 2013 - 2014 please register for our enews by clicking here.
Important to note
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