Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF) now open for 2025-26 applications, helping employers to cover the cost of essential qualifications for staff
The Scottish government has announced an allocation of some £780,000 for this years Voluntary Sector Development Fund. The VSDF was set up to help social care staff gain the qualifications needed for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the national regulator for the social care workforce.
Photo by tommao wang / UnsplashAn individual organisation can apply for up to £24,000 from the fund to be used on training and development needs associated with SSSC requirements.
To be eligible, the voluntary sector organisation must providing social services, be a registered charity and also registered with the Care Inspectorate. The scheme is open to all voluntary sector employers, regardless of size, but is especially intended for small and medium-sized organisations.
This year’s criteria for eligible workers under the scheme has been agreed by the SSSC, the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) and the Scottish government.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday, September 5, 2025. See the SSSC website for more details and how to apply to the VSDF.
Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Well-being and Sport, says: ‘The Scottish government recognises that the social care sector is facing a number of challenges, and this scheme is just one of the ways we are working to support social care employers and their staff. That is why we’re continuing to invest in this important fund, helping hundreds of workers gain the skills they need to deliver high-quality care to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
‘I would urge all voluntary sector social care organisations to consider applying for this funding to help with the costs of staff training.’
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