Discover why learning and development matters
Why learning and development matters
Throughout January and February, we’ve been shining our spotlight on how you can #KeepLearning and why ongoing learning and development is important for everyone working in adult social care.
No matter what stage you are in your career, ongoing learning and development is key for an organisation’s success. It develops skills and knowledge, supports better staff retention and helps to develop effective leaders and managers for now and the future.
Investing in staff development shows that you recognise someone's potential, you appreciate them and their contribution to your organisation, and you want to help them develop. It keeps job roles new and exciting, all of which leads to increased job satisfaction and motivation, which links to staff loyalty.
Our data shows that investing in learning and development for your team can support with keeping staff. Average turnover rates decreased from 37% among staff who had no qualifications to 26.5% among those that had a qualification.
The campaign has helped to support managers and their teams to #KeepLearning by showcasing the learning and development opportunities available in 2024 and highlighting the real benefits of continuous learning.
We’ve developed a bite-sized guide to developing your staff to help you plan, deliver and evaluate the learning and development you provide.
We’ve been sharing blogs and articles covering expert insights and real-life case studies, as well as signposting to further resources, projects, and other support.
Workforce Development Fund
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) is open to adult social care employers and supports the development of staff at all levels, offering funding for a wide range of qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules. Don’t miss out, sign up by 29 February!
Essential training
Three packages of learning are available:
the rapid induction programme (aimed at new staff)
refresher training (aimed at existing staff)
volunteer programme.
Funding remains available this year and we encourage you to sign learners up and complete the training.
eLearning modules
We’ve developed a range of eLearning modules to support the development of knowledge and skills in different areas hosted on our virtual learning environment.
The eLearning topics currently available are:
§ Creating an inclusive organisation
§ eLearning to support CQC inspection
§ Introductory modules for managers
§ Learning from events
Find a learning provider
A key part of selecting the right learning package for your organisation is finding the right learning provider. Skills for Care Endorsement recognises learning providers who deliver high-quality learning and development to the social care sector.
Digital Skills Framework
This free resource helps to support the development of digital skills across the adult social care workforce. It can be used by employers to help with planning staff training or by individuals for their personal development.
Individual employers
Individual employers need to provide their personal assistant with appropriate training to ensure their unique support requirements are met. We have a range of resources, guidance and funding to help.
For regulated professionals
Occupational therapy - We have a guide to support occupational therapy practice-based learning in social care settings. It will help you to identify placement opportunities within your organisation and demonstrate how you can plan, implement and sustain practice placement opportunities to support our future workforce.
Find out more and download the guide
Social work - The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) is a 12-month employment-based programme for newly qualified social workers. It allows them to learn and develop in the first year of their career whilst being supported by their employer, which can help with retention.
Nursing - The nurse leadership development programme is specifically for registered nurses working in a leadership role across adult social care. It aims to increase leadership capabilities, provide shared learning opportunities and develop greater understanding of leadership models and theories.