Are you ASC-Workforce compliant?
Parent organisations (those organisations who have subsidiaries on their ASC-WDS accounts) can now download a Workforce Development Fund (WDF) report which quickly identifies whether they are eligible to access funding or where they need to add/update data.
Skills for Care have released the first parts of a new Training and Qualifications section. This functionality has been widely requested by users and developed with their input.
Within this section users can now:
- Access a summary view of their staff’s training and qualifications
- Quickly identify which staff have training that has expired or will soon expire
- Access each staff member’s training and qualifications record
- Update staff training
In addition, Skills for Care are working on a download report that covers all users’ training and qualifications data. They are also working on functionality for larger organisations (parent accounts) to link to their workplaces.
Skills for Care’s Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) is an online data collection portal for the social care sector and is the recognised leading source of robust workforce intelligence for adult social care. ASC-WDS data is regularly used by government and other strategic bodies.
The ASC-WDS allows Skills for Care to collect detailed information online about social care service providers and their employees. Social care providers can register, maintain and access their business information by setting up an account on ASC-WDS online. The data that you enter is being used across the whole sector to inform important decisions.
For an establishment to be eligible for the Workforce Development Fund, they must complete or refresh their ASC -WDS. All existing accounts must be updated on or after 1st April 2023.
An establishment’s ASC-WDS account is expected to be an accurate reflection of it’s workforce. Large organisations may be subject to data quality checks and will be advised of any issues which will prevent claiming the fund.
Before you get started you might find the following document produced by Skills for Care which you may find helpful, ASC-WDS-and-WDF-requirements-2023-24
Following feedback from employers to make the process of completing and updating the ASC-WDS easier, there are two reports ‘My WDF ASC-WDS requirements report’ and ‘Parent Workforce Development Fund ASC-WDS Requirements Report’ (for large organisations) which have been developed. These are live reports that will detail whether establishments meet the ASC-WDS requirements for claiming WDF, by checking the data and showing whether the establishments are eligible or not eligible. Links are available within these reports to help you see where there are gaps in your data. These reports are only available to an employer who is logged into their Skills for Care ASC-WDS account.
If you update at any time on or after 1st April 2022 and achieve eligibility on ASC-WDS completion in line with the current requirements, then eligibility will remain for the whole grant period as long as the ASC-WDS account is not closed during this period. If after reviewing the data nothing has changed, you will still be required to click the section up to date link. By so doing you are confirming that the information provided in the records is accurate and up to date.
WDF can only be claimed for learners through the establishment where they work. Claims cannot be processed for funding until your ASC-WDS has been completed or updated.
Please note: So that we can process claims promptly, please ensure that your ASC-WDS has been updated since 1st April 2023. Once your ASC-WDS has been updated, please email us a screenshot of confirming eligibility, then we will forward to you a copy of our updated claim form!
The Skills for Care website provides a wealth of information relating to the set up and maintenance of organisations’ ASC-WDS records and summarises the benefits of the Adult Social Care – Workforce Data Set and is continually updated with the latest information about the service and now includes details of what they are developing next.
The benefits of ASC-WDS to employers
- ASC-WDS information can automatically be shared with CQC and NHS Choices (with your permission)
- Employers can access e-learning resources, reports and publications, as well as WDF
- You can see potential demand for services in your area, to inform your business planning.
ASC-WDS support services are available on 0113 241 0969 or email [email protected]