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What is the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS)?

The ASC‑WDS is an online data collection service and the leading source of workforce intelligence for the adult social care sector in England. It helps employers track workforce data, access funding for training and qualifications for your staff, benchmark business performance, and manage training records. It holds information on over 20,000 care providing locations and 650,000 workers. It is free to use and helps services make significant savings in relation to the training and development of your staff.

Learn more about ASC-WDS.

How do I create an ASC‑WDS account?

It is quick and easy to .

If you’re having difficulties creating an account or logging in to your existing account, please contact our ASC-WDS support team for help on 0113 241 0969 or email ascwds-support@skillsforcare.org.uk.

What is the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)?

The ASYE is an employer led programme that helps newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) to develop their skills, knowledge and capability and strengthen their professional confidence. It provides them with access to regular and focused support during their first year of employment.

½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care has published comprehensive information for employers about the ASYE process.

Can I continue my ASYE if I change employer?
Yes, as long as your progress is documented, you can change employers. Transfers typically happen after formal reviews.

Can I retake the ASYE if I fail?
No. Employers should monitor progress, provide support, and escalate concerns where needed.

Is ASYE mandatory?
It is not a legal requirement for services to offer the ASYE programme, but it is strongly recommended to support NQSWs in practice.

Is there funding to support a NQSW through the adults ASYE programme?

Yes, funding is available for the cost of activities relating to the delivery of ASYE, including but not limited to professional development and support activities, such as regular supervision of NQSWs.

Full guidance, eligibility criteria, and details on how to apply for funding is available on the . 

ASYE was launched in 2012 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care disbursed funding and provided support to employers up until 31 March 2025. From 1 April 2026, the disbursement element is administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care continues to support employers with guidance around assessments, moderation, quality assurance and continuous improvement. More information can be found or by emailing adultsASYE@skillsforcare.org.uk

Is there funding to support a NQSW through the child and family ASYE programme?

½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care no longer administers funding or supports the child and family ASYE programme. It’s delivered through the Department for Education (DfE).

All guidance relating to child and family ASYE can be found on the . For enquiries relating to child and family ASYE programme, funding and certification, please email CFASYE.QUERIES@education.gov.uk.

What do I need to know about the Care Certificate?
The Care Certificate sets the minimum induction standards for new care workers with no previous experience. Employers must ensure new staff receive training, supervision and workplace assessment before working unsupervised. Standards were refreshed in 2025, with supporting tools available for employers and assessors.

How do we complete the Care Certificate?

The Care Certificate standards define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in health and social care. They can be used if you are 'new to care' and be used to inform what information is covered during induction.

What is the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification?

The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification is an Ofqual-regulated qualification, requiring observational assessment, and is expected to take a new learner around 6-8 months to complete. An experienced care worker may complete this in a shorter period of time. It is based on the same 16 Care Certificate standards, but it builds and consolidates the knowledge and understanding.

In addition, this qualification is now available to eligible non-regulated care staff, over the age of 19 years and it is an eligible qualification for Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) funding.

Do I need to retake the Care Certificate if I move jobs?
No. If you have your certificate, you should not need to retake it. Employers may ask you to demonstrate how your previous learning aligns with their requirements, and you may need refresher learning.

Link to the Care Certificate

What funding is available for training?
The provides financial support for adult social care training and qualifications, including Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism (‘Oliver’s Training’). It covers over 200 eligible courses and qualifications.

Funding is provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DSHC), and the scheme is administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). There are two separate, ring-fenced funds in 2026/27:

• Oliver’s Training funding
• LDSS funding for all other eligible courses and qualifications.

How do I claim funding?
Employers first need an up‑to‑date Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC‑WDS) account, and then they need to , administered by NHSBSA.

A step-by-step guide to the claims process is available. Frequently asked questions are available on LDSS and Oliver’s Training are available.

Queries about using the digital claims service should be emailed to asc.onboarding@nhsbsa.nhs.uk or call NHSBSA on 0300 330 0522.

What mandatory training do staff need?
Understanding what statutory and mandatory training is needed for your workforce is essential, and ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care has developed a guide for employers to make it clearer and to prevent over duplication and unnecessary repetition of training for workers.

It is good practice for providers to review training needs regularly and to help, our Guide to developing your staff will help you plan, deliver and evaluate the learning and development you provide for your staff. 

This comprehensive guide covers a wide range of information about deciding the right training for your service whether delivering internally or commissioning learning providers to help you.

Where training is associated with legislation and CQC regulation, the guidance highlights these links and indicates minimum learning outcomes.

Which tier of Oliver’s Training do my staff need?
The Department of Health and Social Care’s for Oliver’s Training outlines three tiers based on staff roles. Employers must assess the learning needs of their workforce and demonstrate to CQC how their chosen training meets regulatory expectations.

Why do we need this training if we don’t support autistic people or people with a learning disability?
It is a legislative requirement that all CQC‑registered providers ensure staff receive training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their role, even if they do not currently support people with these needs. This requirement covers all regulated activities.

More information is available.

Where can I find a training provider to deliver Oliver’s Training?

A list of trainers who have been trained and approved to deliver Oliver’s Training is available on the . A list of training providers who have a team of trainers approved can also be found there. 

Does ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care deliver training?
No, ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care is not a training provider, but we do review training providers and course quality, making sure training is accessible, high-quality, and meets the needs of both the workforce and people who draw on care and support through the Quality Assured Care Learning Service (QACLS). 

Where can I find a quality assured training provider?

½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care maintains a list of all that have been quality assured through the QACLS and are on the list of . 

Over time, it is the Government’s ambition that all training and development identified or funded through the LDSS for the adult social care workforce will be quality assured by the QACLS.

In addition, ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care quality assures training providers who deliver Oliver’s Training through the QACLS.

The list of quality assured training providers is updated fortnightly, so please ensure you are always referring to the latest information. Should you need any support, please email QAservices@skillsforcare.org.uk.

Where can I find a training provider to deliver Oliver’s Training?

A list of approved training providers who have been trained to deliver Oliver’s Training is available on the .

½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care’s quality assured Oliver’s Training providers are those training providers that have been quality assured through the Quality Assured Care Learning Service to deliver Olivers Training. 

We are looking to employ a 16–17-year-old - what are the regulations?

If you are an adult social care employer and looking to recruit younger workers, there is specific advice. 

The CQC has always supported younger workers commencing their career in adult social care. However, it is important that these younger workers receive an enhanced level of training, support and supervision.

If you are looking to employ a younger worker (16 and 17 years old), this should ideally be through the use of the Apprenticeship process. There are further considerations to follow when recruiting younger workers. Please see this .

How do I recruit the right staff?

Recruiting staff remains a challenge for many adult social care providers. To support providers to strengthen their recruitment processes, we have produced a wide range of guidance, advice and practical resources.  In addition, there are practical options to help promote vacancies available from organisations we work closely with.

Here are some free tools to help you to recruit staff

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Care friends:An App that helps to recruit and retain more staff, offering incentives to your existing workforce for referring their friends to work in care.  This explains how the App works and includes films summarising how adult social care employers have benefitted. 

What qualifications do I need to become a registered manager?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) decides if a person applying to be a registered manager has the necessary experience and qualifications.  Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care recommends that anybody wishing to become a registered manager has completed the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership Management for Adult Care (RQF) prior to commencing in the role. However, the CQC can be flexible on this if the individual has considerable sector experience already.

The CQC may also accept earlier – and now discontinued - adult social care management qualifications including the Registered Manager’s Award (RMA), NVQ Level 4 in Leadership and Management for Care Services (LMCS) or Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (QCF).

Given the responsibilities of the registered manager role, ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care recommends adult social care providers considering progressing individuals to this position to review our Guide to developing new managers and deputies.

For employers who commence staff on the Level 5 Diploma, the Department of Health and Social Care’s might provide an option to cover some of the costs.

For employers wishing to support career progression, there are part-funded leadership and management development opportunities – including the Level 5 Diploma – available via the Department of Health and Social Care’s Learning and Development Support Scheme                                                                                  

As a manager, where can I find peer support?

Our registered manager networks offer managers a safe, supportive space to connect with peers, share challenges, and build a strong collective identity within their local area. 

Find more information on our local networks for managers.

Is there membership for registered managers?

Yes, ½ðÁ«´«Ã½ for Care has a registered managers membership offer. Through membership, we support managers to develop best practice and knowledge, keep up-to-date with sector developments and share ideas with like-minded peers.

For £35 per year, you can become a member of our growing community of registered managers and gain access to exclusive resources to support you in your role and your service. .

How do I update my membership account?
Contact the membership team by email Membership@skillsforcare.org.uk.