New Learning Disability Award Framework

Skills for Care is now the lead agency, working jointly with the department of Health’s Valuing People Support Team, on the development of new Learning Disability Award Framework (LDAF) materials for workers supporting people with learning disabilities.  Since April 2006, Skills for Care has taken over from the Department of Health in developing a new Learning Disability Awards Framework (LDAF) for workers who support people who have learning disabilities. 

The new materials will be designed to incorporate Health and Social Care NVQ levels two and three, and also meet the latest Common Induction Standards introduced by Skills for Care last year.  Materials for the new LDAF Initial Award will be available by April 2007.  Until then, managers should continue using the existing LDAF.  The new LDAF will eventually form part of a learning disability focused induction package for all new workers in services supporting people with a learning disability.  

Skills for Care’s CEO Andrea Rowe said: “Designing and implementing the new materials and awards takes time, so we want to reassure employers that they can continue using the existing LDAF qualifications until the new ones are phased in.  The new LDAF will enable managers to take a more integrated approach to workforce development, as they will enable those supporting people with learning disabilities to gain a qualification that meets the current NVQ requirements from a learning disability perspective.”

Craig Muir, DH’s Director of Older People and Disability Division, said: “I am delighted to see Skills for Care integrating the LDAF programme within wider activities, linking it to specific workforce development strategies, a Sector Learning Strategy and the Sector Skills Agreement.  I am confident this will be very helpful in providing further endorsement to the wider workforce for this important training award.”

For more information on the development of the new LDAF visit www.skillsforcare.org.uk and click on ‘our projects’ then ‘types of social care.’