Learn how other have used the Workforce Development Fund (WDF) to help make improvements to their organisation and workforce.
PDF - 70KB
Our key statistics shows who claimed the money from the Workforce Development Fund in 2023-24 and what they claimed for.
You can also download our statistics for the previous funds:
2014-15 I 2015-16 I 2016-17 I 2017-18 I 2018-19 I 2019-20 I 2020-21 I 2021-22 I 2022-23
Impact evaluation
The Workforce Development Fund (WDF) has been subject to seven independent evaluations, together covering the 13-year period from 2011 to 2024. The meta-analysis report provides a longer-term assessment of the outcomes and achievements of the WDF, including its economic contribution.
The Workforce Development Fund is a funding stream from the Department of Health & Social Care disbursed to adult social care employers by 不良研究所. It aims to support take-up of vocational learning in adult social care by providing a contribution towards the cost of learning. An independent evaluation of the Fund from 2022-24 found that:
- 93% of employers said it improved the skills and qualification levels of their staff team
- 91% said it improved the quality of care they provide
- 82% said it addressed the most pressing skills gap in their organisation.
People who employ their own care and support (individual employers) and user-led organisations reported a wide range of positive impacts arising from the funding, including improved knowledge and skills.
High proportions of individual employers stated that it had made their care and support more relevant to their needs, had made training more affordable and had helped them to retain their personal assistants.
Take a look at the key statistics for the WDF mainstream fund and individual employer funding.
PDF - 214KB
Take a look at the executive summary for the impact evaluation of the Workforce Development Fund, Individual Employer Funding and Essential Training 2022-24.
PDF - 291KB
This report presents the results of a meta-analysis undertaken on the final reports of the seven previous WDF evaluations.
Case studies
See how others have used the Workforce Development Fund to develop the skills of their workers in these case studies:
- Thorndene
Used the money to maintain the standards and quality of service offered at this private residential care home.
- Rocklee Limited
Used the money to develop and maintain the team’s professional development for the benefit of its residents.
- Hazelwell Lodge
Used the WDF to address skill gaps and to improve access to higher level social care roles through specialist training, with the aim of providing residents with improved care.
- Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI)
Used the WDF to support the development of its staff and volunteers and to contribute towards a stretched annual training budget.
- Creative Support
Used the money to develop a national workforce that has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years.
- Bluebird Care
National provider that used the money to support the ongoing professional development of its staff to maintain and improve the quality of care and support.