February 26, 2025

DHSC Updates


Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): vaccination for older adults – updated resources

Earlier this month, the NHS announced that it was inviting around 1.3 million older people to get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Invites have been issued to people not yet vaccinated against RSV who are aged 75-79 or turned 80 after 1 September 2024, encouraging them to book an appointment with their GP.


On Thursday 20 February the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England published updated resources on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the benefits of vaccination to promote the vaccination to older adults.


The guidance now includes translated versions of the RSV guide. Announcement here. Guidance here. Translated versions of the guide here.


  • Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)

The Department of Health and Social Care provides funding for learning and development for the adult social care workforce, via the new Learning and Development Support Scheme.


The funding is being delivered via a new online claims service, administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).


In order to submit claims, you must have an account on the online claims service. To set up an account, sign up here via this short form. Once you’ve completed the survey, NHSBSA will contact you as soon as possible to book an onboarding appointment, and will support you to set up an account and submit your first claims. For this financial year, the deadline for claim submission is Friday 21 March (inclusive). Guidance here.


  • Flu Vaccine Offer 2025 to 2026

The national flu immunisation programme 2025 to 2026 letter published on Thursday 13th February sets out guidance for flu vaccination for the 2025 to 2026 season.


The letter confirms that there are no changes to the eligible cohorts and that the offer of a flu vaccination for certain adult social care workers is also the same as last year.


Further details on eligibility and the operation of the programme are included in the letter.


The programme is expected to start in October, with the majority of the vaccinations to be completed by the end of November, so that individuals are vaccinated for optimal protection during the highest risk period. Further communications will be announced in advance of the start of the programme. Correspondence here.


  • Supported Housing regulation: consultation

Proposals for implementing measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 and changes to Housing Benefit Regulations. Consultation closes at 11:59pm on 15 May 2025. Details here.


Share

July 31, 2025
Healthcare Employment specialist legal support
July 31, 2025
How will the Fair Work Agency impact your business Download your FREE guide
July 31, 2025
Ally Cares win HSJ Digital Award 2025
July 29, 2025
Published July 2025 (data correct as at 2024/25) Skills for Care have launched their annual report on the size and structure of ythe care workforce This provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the size and structure of the adult social care sector and workforce in England. A short, written report is available: download a copy of the report here. The methodology for this year’s report has changed from previous years. Adult social care related roles employed by the NHS are no longer included in the headline statistics for the size of the adult social care workforce. This change has been applied retrospectively to previous years, so the trends in this report are consistent. Comparing figures from this report to previous reports will not produce a valid trend. Also, our estimates for the number of filled posts in the independent sector now come from our automated data pipeline. This has resulted in substantial improvements to our estimates over time and some figures have changed as a result from previous versions of this report. For further information, see our statement.  To download the data behind the visualisation below, including trended information, please see the Workforce estimates page.
July 29, 2025
Windows 10 obsolete in October and Support for Nursing Placements 29 July 2025
July 24, 2025
Student nurses set for skills boost through new adult social care placements
July 23, 2025
What is happening with the Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care webinar On Tuesday 15 July 2025, Skills for Care was joined by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to share an overview of the Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for adult social care. During the webinar, colleagues at DHSC explained what a FPA is, why it is being introduced and what this means for the sector. Details about the Employment Rights Bill and how this provides the legislative framework for FPAs were also shared. The webinar explored how the Government has been engaging with the sector so far, and ways in which those working in adult social care can get involved, including plans for a public consultation later this year. The event concluded with a Q and A A recording of the webinar is now available for you to view.
July 22, 2025
WMCA Excellence in Care Awards - Just 1 week to go until the nomination window closes 22 July 2025
Show More