Learning Disability and Autism Training
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Learning Disability and Autism Training
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
What is it and why has it been introduced?
What exactly do we have to do, including CQC requirements
Learning Disability and Autism Training
All GP practices in England must ensure their staff receive training in learning disability and autism, including how to interact appropriately with people with a learning disability and autistic people. This requirement was introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022. The government’s preferred training programme is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. However, the Act does not specify a training package or course for staff.
New autism support launched for families and carers across England
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
What is it and why has it been introduced?
The training is named after Oliver McGowan.
Oliver was a teenager who died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication he was known to be intolerant to.
The training is part of the government’s ‘Right to be heard’ commitments.
The training will equip the health and social care workforce with the right skills, knowledge & confidence they need to improve provide safe, compassionate and informed care and outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
The training will be standardised & accredited, drawing on:
- existing best practice
- the expertise of people with a learning disability, autistic people and family carers
- subject matter experts.
Do we have to do it?
The Government has introduced a requirement for Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered service providers to ensure their employees receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role.
This requirement is set out in the Health and Care Act 2022 .
What exactly do we have to do, including CQC requirements
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is currently being funded by the ICBs for all practice staff.
Under the Health and Social Care Act 2022, health and social care providers will need to complete training on learning disability and autism, but can find an alternative training package to the Oliver McGowan package if they prefer
Everyone has to complete some training on learning disability and autism as per the Act and that complies with the 4 standards in the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice and the “e-learning for health” training package* is free and available to all, so practices may wish to use this resource.
If Practice choose to use alternative training provider, they should check that it is CQC assured.
*The main elearning for healthcare (e-lfh) website (e-lfh.org.uk) closed on March 31, 2026. However, the learning content is not disappearing; it is moving to the new Learning Hub by summer 2026. Users can continue to access e-learning, with services gradually migrating to a single, updated platform.
CQC
Please see here for CQC’s position on Training staff to support autistic people and people with a learning disability
- You must ensure that all staff receive training in how to interact appropriately with people with a learning disability and autistic people, at a level appropriate to their role.
- Staff must receive appropriate supervision in their role to ensure they demonstrate and maintain competence in understanding the needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people, including knowing how to support them in the best way.
All health and social care staff must receive training that meets the 4 standards set out in the code.
Standard 1
All staff receive training that covers a minimum curriculum of capabilities from the Core capabilities framework for supporting people with a learning disability and the Core capabilities framework for supporting autistic people.
Standard 2
All staff receive training that enables them to explore how they will put their learning into practice.
Standard 3
All staff receive a minimum amount of live and interactive training that is co-produced and co-delivered by people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Standard 4
All staff receive training that is based on evidence and is quality-assured through trialling, ongoing evaluation and accreditation. People with a learning disability and autistic people must be meaningfully involved in these processes.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
Please find a summary of the training requirements of the Oliver McGowan training resource:
Following the e-learning*, staff need to complete training for Tier 1 or Tier 2.
*The main elearning for healthcare (e-lfh) website (e-lfh.org.uk) closed on March 31, 2026. However, the learning content is not disappearing; it is moving to the new Learning Hub by summer 2026. Users can continue to access e-learning, with services gradually migrating to a single, updated platform.
Tier 1: This is for all staff that require a general awareness of the support for autistic people or people with a learning disability. This consists of a 60 minute webinar.
OR
Tier 2: This is for all staff with responsibility for providing care, support or healthcare, including social care and other professionals with a high degree of autonomy. This consists of a full day’s face to face training.
Please find a summary below:
Click here for more info.
ICBs
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are being supported to develop training capacity across England. As the number of trainers grows, the access to the online interactive and face-to-face training will increase. Each ICB will make its own decisions about how it organises and prioritises its delivery.
With thanks to BSW ICB who have produced a series of autism training videos, that have been created with neurodivergent people, to raise awareness about the importance of understanding diagnosis, menopause, masking, communication, anxiety, depression and sensory overwhelm.