Training Support Programme 2025/26 - Application Form - September 2025

Overview

Application Form - Training Support for the Independent Social Care Sector 2025/26. 

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council) is administering the Training Support Programme for the financial year 2025/26 on behalf of the Office of Social Services (OSS), Department of Health.

For this financial year, applications for funding of health and social care qualifications and training initiatives can be made by employers of Social Care Council registered social care practitioners and managers in the independent sector, working across adult and children’s services.

Applications for this funding opportunity can only be made through this online application form. 

It is important to note that the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice, which is the entrance level qualification available for social care practitioners will be prioritised for funding. 

Priority will also be given to applications from community and voluntary sector organisations.

Additionally, applications can be made for face-to-face training and/or learning and development initiatives in the following prioritised themes:

• Dementia awareness
• Palliative care awareness
• Emergency First Aid
• Moving and positioning
• Trauma-informed practice

The deadline for making applications for funding is 5pm on 17 October 2025 2025. The Social Care Council intends for all employers to be informed of application outcomes by 6 November 2025.

Training Support Programme – Guidance and Notes for Applicants -  Please ensure you read the full list of terms and conditions which are provided in the 'related documents' linked to the bottom of this page. These notes and guidance documents will helpful to those completing this application form. 

A summary of these key terms are as follows: 

1. This programme is open to independent sector (community and voluntary and private) organisations. Priority will be given to applications from community and voluntary sector organisations. Funding opportunities are not available to the statutory sector at this time.
2. Funding is capped at a maximum of £10,000.00 per organisation for 2025/26.
3. Only applications that have been fully completed will be initially considered for funding support. Where incomplete, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (Social Care Council) will reject the application or request further information.
4. Funding is available for qualification fees only. Funding is not available to cover staffing costs and/or absences while qualifications are completed.
5. The Social Care Council does not pay VAT. All costs must be quoted as net figures.
6. Applications for funding support must be signed off by a CEO, Director or a Senior Manager in an organisation with the understanding that learners will complete the qualifications, and the employer will provide support for their employees, for the duration of the course.
7. Applications will only be considered for staff with an active Registration on Part 2 of the Public Facing Register (the Register), or for those who have been in employment for at least one calendar month at the time of application in relation to a qualification and whose registration is in process.
8. The Social Care Council will fund successful social care organisations. It is the responsibility of employers to source the training provider/s.
9. Employers must ensure that staff members they are applying for have the right to work in line with the following: right to work – Search – GOV.UK
10. Applications must be received by the Social Care Council by 5pm on 17^th October 2025.  We will aim to inform social care organisations of the outcome of their applications by 6^th November 2025.