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Over 20 years experience of training in the care sector
Call us on
020 3129 5667
ASC WDS is the national Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set used by adult social care providers in England to record staff details, understand workforce risks and access funded training. For decision-makers and managers, it supports practical workforce planning, inspection readiness, and funding claims by keeping accurate, up-to-date information in one place. When ASC-WDS data is incomplete or out of date, providers can face delays to funding, repeated information requests, and unnecessary admin pressure at critical points in the year.
Let’s take a closer look at what ASC WDS is, why it matters, the benefits it delivers, and real-life provider experiences showing how it drives return on investment.
Why Adult Social Care Providers Are Using ASC WDS
ASC-WDS is an online workforce data collection service for adult social care providers in England, developed and maintained by Skills for Care on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. It records information about provider organisations and their staff, including roles, pay, qualifications, turnover, vacancies and training.
The system brings together workforce data from over 20,000 provider locations, making it the leading source of workforce information for adult social care in England. This scale means the data is used not only by individual providers, but also to inform local and national workforce planning.
ASC-WDS replaced the former National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC), which had been in use since 2006. The current service allows providers to register, maintain and update workforce information at any time through an online account, rather than treating workforce data as a one-off annual return.
Data submitted through ASC-WDS is processed and validated to produce workforce insight on employment levels, recruitment and retention patterns, pay rates, service types and job roles. For managers and decision-makers, this turns routine workforce information into practical insight that supports planning, funding claims and inspection preparation.
Why Workforce Data Matters More Than Ever
Workforce data is at the heart of running and planning adult social care services. Accurate and up to date information helps providers understand:
This insight supports day-to-day management decisions such as recruitment planning, training investment and pay reviews. It also reduces pressure when responding to commissioner requests or preparing for inspections, where clear and reliable workforce information is routinely expected.
Using ASC-WDS as a central record helps services move away from fragmented spreadsheets and informal tracking. For managers and decision-makers, it provides a more dependable foundation for workforce planning, reporting and funding readiness.
Funding, planning and workforce decisions
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is required for staff who work with people with a learning disability and autistic people across adult social care. The training is designed to improve understanding, reduce health inequalities, and support safer, more person-centred care.
Funding to support delivery of Oliver McGowan training is available through a separate allocation of LDSS Funding. While claims for this training follow a different process to other LDSS courses, accurate workforce records remain important for eligibility checks, planning delivery and evidencing who needs to be trained.
Keeping staff roles, employment status and service types up to date within ASC WDS helps providers understand where mandatory training applies and plan delivery across teams. This reduces the risk of missed training requirements and supports a more coordinated approach to compliance
Access to Workforce Funding and Support
One of the most practical benefits of maintaining an up-to-date account is eligibility for workforce funding, including the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) and the Workforce Development Fund (WDF). Adult social care providers must have an active ASC WDS account to access these funding streams.
LDSS operates within a limited national funding pot, and claims must be submitted within defined timeframes. Keeping workforce roles, employment status and training records accurate within ASC WDS helps providers submit claims on time and reduces the risk of delays or rejected applications.
ASC WDS data is also used to support access to Skills for Care Fully Funded Leadership Programmes and CPD courses, enabling providers to develop managers and senior staff while managing training budgets more effectively.
Better Workforce Planning and Decision Making
The Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set captures structured workforce data that helps adult social care providers understand how their workforce is changing over time, including:
This information enables providers to identify trends and patterns over time. For example: knowing which roles have high turnover can trigger targeted retention efforts; identifying skills gaps can inform training strategies.
High quality workforce data means stronger evidence for business planning, budgeting, and service expansion. As case studies reveal, providers can make data-led decisions that deliver measurable impact.
Sector Benchmarking and Insight
One of the most powerful features is benchmarking the ability to compare your workforce data with that of similar providers across England.
Benchmarking allows organisations to see how they stack up in areas such as:
This kind of insight removes guesswork from service planning and pay reviews. Instead of relying on anecdotal evidence, providers can access comparable sector data to inform strategic choices.
Saving Time and Reducing Duplication
Once an organisation maintains its workforce data in ASC WDS, it can be used as a single source of truth for key staff information that might otherwise be spread across multiple spreadsheets or internal systems.
Centralising workforce records improves accuracy and reduces duplication, making it easier to update, retrieve and report on data when required. For managers, this streamlines administrative tasks and reduces last-minute pressure when information is needed for funding claims, inspections or commissioner requests.
Over time, this approach helps teams spend less time managing data and more time focusing on staff support and service delivery.
Supporting Workforce Intelligence at Local and National Levels
ASC WDS plays a crucial role in shaping national workforce understanding and policy. Data collected through ASC WDS feeds into research and reports that inform:
By keeping workforce data accurate and up to date, providers help ensure that national and local decisions are informed by the realities of frontline adult social care, rather than incomplete or outdated information
The Oaklands: Turning Data into Training Investment
The Oaklands care home invested around one working day to set up and complete its ASC WDS workforce data. Once established, ongoing updates became a routine administrative task rather than a major time commitment.
By keeping workforce records accurate and up to date, The Oaklands was able to reclaim over £33,500 in workforce funding, which was reinvested into staff training and qualifications. Benchmarking data from ASC WDS has also supported pay and workforce planning decisions by allowing the service to compare itself with similar providers.
Key Highlight: Funding access and benchmarking with minimal ongoing admin.
“During inspections both local councils and CQC are always reassured when they see it as it backs up your training matrix. We share it with them to aid transparency. I love how we can benchmark (demographics) in each specific area against other care providers anonymously e.g. Training, wages, staff retention, qualifications etc.”
– The Oaklands
Saracen Care: Using Benchmarking to Improve Pay and Retention
Saracen Care, a supported living provider, updates its ASC WDS data on a monthly basis, with updates typically taking between 10 and 30 minutes to complete.
Regular updates have allowed the organisation to use benchmarking data to identify that pay rates were below local comparators. This insight informed changes to pay structures aimed at improving staff retention and recruitment. Accurate records have also supported claims for workforce funding, with over £8,500 reclaimed to support training and development.
Key Highlight: Data led pay decisions and stronger workforce stability.
Creative Support: Delivering Value at Scale
Large providers can also benefit significantly from ASC WDS. Creative Support, with thousands of staff, has refined how it collects and maintains workforce data. The organisation has reclaimed around £90,000 in one year and over £330,000 across three funding years- reporting savings of more than £8,300 on training through the ASC WDS Benefits Bundle.
Such significant funding reinvestment supports workforce development programmes, leadership training, and service improvement at scale.
Key Highlight: Financial returns and operational efficiency for large organisations.
“We’ve found ASC-WDS really useful over the past few years. In the past 12 months, we’ve claimed over £100k for diplomas delivered by our internal team, with training delivered at 13 sites across the country. This approach helps address skills gaps, fosters development allows us to invest in our future success!”
– Head of Engagement and Learning, Creative Support
Unique Senior Care: Supporting the Sector Through Workforce Data
Unique Senior Care uses ASC WDS not only to support its own workforce planning but also as a contribution to sector wide data quality. Their leadership team emphasises the importance of accurate workforce data for informing national policy, funding decisions, and long-term workforce sustainability.
Key Highlight: Using workforce data to support evidence-based decision making across adult social care.
5 Steps To Get the Most from ASC WDS
The value of ASC WDS depends on the quality of data submitted. Providers should ensure that data on:
…is as complete and accurate as possible.
High quality data enables better insight, benchmarking and access to funding.
Recording training and qualifications within ASC WDS makes it easier to evidence workforce development and prepare for funding claims. Keeping this information current reduces last-minute admin when opportunities such as LDSS Funding become available.
Providers who update their ASC WDS data routinely gain more value from it. Monthly or quarterly updates help ensure benchmarking data remains accurate and reduce the risk of gaps appearing just before inspections, claims deadlines or commissioning reviews.
Benchmarking is one of the most valuable features. Providers should explore sector comparisons to guide:
ASC WDS users are eligible for a range of funding initiatives, including:
These schemes help providers mitigate the cost of qualifications and training, making workforce development more financially achievable. Keeping ASC WDS records accurate and up to date ensures providers are ready to evidence eligibility, prioritise training needs, and submit claims within required timeframes when funding becomes available.
Using ASC WDS to strengthen your workforce and access funding
ASC WDS works best when it is kept accurate and used as part of routine workforce management. Up-to-date records support clearer planning, reduce last-minute pressure, and help providers respond quickly to inspections, funding deadlines and workforce risks.
Keeping ASC WDS current also supports access to funded training. Providers who stay on top of their data are better placed to claim funding and plan development activity without unnecessary delays.
If you have any question around eligibility and accessing funded leadership and CPD learning, our team at CareTutor can help. Get in touch with us to discuss your options and the next steps.
FAQs
What is ASC WDS?
ASC WDS is the national workforce data system for adult social care providers in England. It is used to record workforce information and support funding, planning and compliance.
Who should maintain ASC WDS?
Registered managers, providers and senior decision-makers are responsible for keeping ASC WDS accurate and up to date.
How often should ASC WDS be updated?
Data should be updated whenever workforce details change. Many providers review their records monthly to stay funding- and inspection-ready.
What information needs to be recorded?
ASC WDS typically includes staff roles, employment status, pay, qualifications, training completed, vacancies and turnover.
Is ASC WDS required to access LDSS funding?
Yes. An active and up-to-date ASC WDS account is required to access LDSS Funding and submit reimbursement claims.
How does ASC WDS link to Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?
ASC WDS supports workforce planning and eligibility checks linked to Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, although claims are made through a separate LDSS allocation.
Is ASC WDS data shared with the CQC?
Providers can choose whether to share ASC WDS data with the Care Quality Commission. Data is anonymised and used to support workforce planning.
How much time does ASC WDS take to maintain?
After initial setup, many providers spend around 10–30 minutes per month keeping records up to date.
What happens if ASC WDS data is out of date?
Out-of-date records can delay funding claims, reduce benchmarking accuracy and increase pressure around inspections or data requests.
References
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Adult Social Care Workforce Data/Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set/Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set.aspx (skillsforcare.org.uk)
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Adult Social Care Workforce Data/Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set/Benefits of ASC WDS.aspx (skillsforcare.org.uk)
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/resources/documents/Adult social care workforce data/ASC WDS ROI case study slides.pdf (skillsforcare.org.uk)
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/news and events/blogs/why social care providers are using asc wds (skillsforcare.org.uk)
If you have any question around eligibility and accessing funded leadership and CPD learning, our team at CareTutor can help. Get in touch with us to discuss your options and the next steps.