Partners In Care

Would funding to support your staff’s training be helpful?

Adult social care demands an appropriately trained workforce. Training such as QCF and Common Induction Standards are essential, and you may be able to access funding to help meet the costs of these.

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Claim money now!

Have you paid or received FREE NVQ’s and/or QCF Diplomas in Health & Social Care since January 2011?

If the answer is yes to this question (either for yourself or employees) I’m delighted to inform you funding is still available to support the costs through the Skills for Care Workforce Development Fund (WDF) 2011/12.

The funding available is:

• NVQ units up to a maximum of £70 per unit.*

• QCF units up to a maximum of £8.50 per credit.* The funding per unit will be calculated on the number of credits that make up the unit. For example, a QCF unit consisting of 3 credits will be funded at £25.50.

*Where this does not exceed the total training costs incurred

The claiming process is relatively simple but requires some steps to be completed. A Step by Step Claim Guidance is located in Section 5 of the WDF Registration Form 2011/12 available to download below.

Please note: The final submssion date for all claims is 16th March 2012, no claims will be accepted once this date has passed.

If you have any questions or would like more information and support please call me on 01202 639026 or email Sam Clarke.

Sam Clarke is the expert in the team. If you have any questions or would like further information please contact:

Sam Clarke
Project Implementation Co-Ordinator
Tel: 01202 639026
Email: Sam Clarke

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NMDS-SC

A key requirement to claim funding is the completion of the NMDS-SC inline with the requirements set out below.

• An establishment which has completed an NMDS-SC organisational record before 1 April 2011 must fully update its organisational data.

• The establishment must fully complete individual NMDS-SC worker records for a minimum of 90% of its total workforce (this includes any staff who are not care-providing).

• Individual records for workers completed before 1 April 2011 which are included in the 90% calculation must be both fully completed and updated.

Any establishment who met the requirements above will retain eligibility for the full financial year.

Additional support is available through the PIC team to help complete the NMDS-SC. If you would like to take advantage of this support please contact Katie Bennett on 01202 862441.

If your unsure how far you’ve got with completing your organisation’s data, then contact the NMDS-SC helpdesk on 0845 873 0129.

Please see below some useful downloads, which provide you with a step by step guide to help you start or update your records.

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The internet and IT are transforming the way we communicate, learn and work. Get Connected is a new support programme to enable providers of care for adults in England to access information and communication technology (ICT) more effectively.

For more information click on the link below:

www.scie.org.uk

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First and foremost, an apprentice is an employee. Apprenticeships are a combination of on and off the job training. Great sources of information are the Apprenticeship Service website www.apprenticeships.org.uk and specifically for social care, the Skills for Care website www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships

Apprenticeship programmes are designed by employers for employers and are therefore tailored to meet the needs of the social care sector.

In may cases the cost of providing the training is fully subsidised.

The Department of Health’s Working to Put People First acknowledges the importance of apprenticeships for social care.

Who can be an apprentice? - Existing staff - New staff - Non-social care staff

Funding
Apprenticeship funding is available from the National Apprenticeship Service. The size of the contribution varies depending on your sector and the age of the candidate.