Care employers urged to apply for Skills for Care training fund to help develop skills

Individuals who employ their own care and support are being urged to apply for a Skills for Care fund that helps with training costs, which closes on the 28th of February 2020.

Successful applications can be used for training to help them develop their skills as an employer or to develop the skills of their personal assistants (PAs).

The funding can be used to pay for lots of different courses including moving and assisting, first aid, health and safety, communication skills, being a good boss and health and social care diplomas. The employers can also apply for support to cover the costs of travel and hiring a replacement PA.

Last year, Perveen Ahmad applied for funding to pay for a package of training for her personal assistants that was tailored to her individual needs.

That package included nine training courses over three weeks. Perveen worked with JD Training Solutions, a Skills for Care endorsed provider, to design tailored training around nutrition and hydration, level 2 food safety and infection control, first aid, safeguarding, health and safety and fire safety.

The training helped Perveen’s team to develop their skills and knowledge, which has improved the quality of care they provide.

“The training has helped my PAs to reach their potential,” said Perveen. “This is just the start of their individual learning journey – they’ve already asked to do further training in the future.

“None of this would have been achievable without Skills for Care funding.”

How to apply

Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis. To find out more and download the application form, visit the Skills for Care website

Applications close at 5pm on the 28th of February 2020.