The Department of Health has approved training and development funding for a fifth year which supports the development of the social care workforce. This funding is focused on enabling people at different stages on their social care career pathway to access training, qualifications and support. Providers can apply directly to the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) to access the funding by following the guidance below.
This funding is available to Independent and Third Sector providers:
– To support a range of qualifications across the social care sector including support for managers to access leadership and management training, specifically:
– Level 4 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management (Adult Care) NI.
– Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care (NI) – both Adult Care and Adult Residential Care pathways. The funding for Level 5 Diplomas is aimed at employers who are considering succession planning in their organisations.
See note 1 below for more details.
– For Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (NI) from previous applications received by the Social Care Council 2021/22.
See note 2 below for more details.
– For mentoring and support arrangements to support completion of qualifications currently undertaken and for new learners. Support will be offered to employers and learners currently completing qualifications and in relation to those undertaking new qualifications.
See note 3 below for more details and how to apply.
Applications must be signed by a Chief Executive or Director or Senior Manager, on the basis that organisations will provide support for learners to ensure completion of qualifications. Qualifications not completed may result in funding having to be returned by organisations.
To apply please complete a proforma (download here) and return to Seamus.McAleese@niscc.hscni.net by 5pm on 16 December 2022.
Should you require any further information please contact Mervyn.Bothwell@niscc.hscni.net or Meta.Keenan@niscc.hscni.net.
Notes
Note 1
- Applications at this stage will be considered based on seeking to attain one qualification per organisation at either Level 4 or Level 5.
- Funding is not available to pay for staff time to complete the qualifications or for backfill.
- Training organisations need to be sourced by social care provider organisations.
- There is no age restriction on applications.
- Staff must be registered for, or have commenced, the qualification by 28 February 2023.
- For organisations that received funding from the Social Care Council for accredited training last year (2021/22) but whose employees did not progress their qualification, new applications will be put on waiting list.
- Organisations wishing to be considered for this round of funding must ensure records for existing candidates are up-to-date as previously requested by the Social Care Council.
- Providers will be reimbursed by 31 March 2023.
- The Social Care Council will request information at various times about the progress of learners and the impact of these funding arrangements.
Note 2:
No new applications will be received for the Level 3 Diploma as the Social Care Council already has retained previous applications from 2021/2022. The Social Care Council will revisit these.
Note 3:
The Social Care Council will engage the services of a learning and development professional to provide support and mentoring to individual learners/their line managers/employers. There are limited spaces for this support and will be considered on a ‘first come, first serve basis’. To register your interest please email meta.keenan@niscc.hscni.net by 5pm on 16 December 2022.