The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: A Crucial Step Towards Equitable Health and Social Care

ByDaniel

The quality of care provided to autistic people and individuals with a learning disability in the UK has long been a subject of national concern.1 Tragically, preventable deaths and avoidable harm have too frequently occurred due to a lack of understanding, knowledge, and appropriate skills within the health and social care workforce.2 In response to this critical issue, the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (OMMT) has been introduced, marking a significant legislative and cultural shift in how these vulnerable populations are supported.3

๐Ÿ’” The Catalyst: Oliver McGowan’s Legacy

The training is named in memory of Oliver McGowan, a young man with a mild learning disability and autism, whose premature death shone a harsh light on systemic failings.4 Oliver was hospitalized following seizures, but tragically, he was given antipsychotic medication against the wishes of both himself and his family.5 Due to an intolerance to this medication, Oliver died.6 A subsequent Learning Disability Mortality Review (LeDeR) found his death to be potentially avoidable, highlighting a devastating gap in staff understanding and communication.7

Oliverโ€™s mother, Paula McGowan OBE, has tirelessly campaigned for better education and training for health and social care staff, leading to this vital legislative change.8 Her dedication, alongside that of Oliverโ€™s family and numerous advocates, has ensured that Oliverโ€™s story serves as a permanent reminder of the need to “do better” for millions of people.9

๐Ÿ›๏ธ The Legislative Mandate: The Health and Care Act 2022

The commitment to making this training mandatory stems from the governmentโ€™s response to the 2019 “Right to be Heard” consultation.10 This culminated in the Health and Care Act 2022, which introduced a statutory requirement:11

All Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered service providers must ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism that is appropriate to their role.1213

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended trainin14g package designed to help providers meet this new legal standard.15 The CQC will use the accompanying Oliver McGowan Code of Practice as the benchmark for assessing compliance.16

๐Ÿงฉ Structure and Tiers of the Training

The OMMT is a standardized, high-quality programme co-produced, trialled, and evaluated with the direct involvement of autistic people, people with a learning disability, and their familiesโ€”adhering to the principle of “nothing about us, without us.”17

The training is structured into two Tiers, with each tier comprising two distinct parts:18

Part 1: eLearning Module (Standard for All)

  • Content: This initial, standardized module is foundational, covering an introduction to learning disability and autism, communication strategies, and the concept of reasonable adjustments.19
  • Duration: Typically takes around 90 minutes to complete.20
  • Access: Usually available via platforms like NHS e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) or Electronic Staff Record (ESR) for NHS staff.21

Part 2: Interactive Component (Tier-Specific)

This is the crucial element where learning moves beyond awareness into practical application, and it must be co-delivered by people with lived experience (experts by experience).22

TierTarget Audience (Role Appropriateness)Format of Part 2Indicative Duration
Tier 1Staff with indirect or occasional contact (e.g., administrative, reception, estates, catering). Focuses on general awareness.Online Interactive SessionApprox. 1 hour
Tier 2Staff who provide direct care, support, or make decisions (e.g., clinicians, frontline staff, managers). Focuses on in-depth application.Face-to-Face Session1 full day (or two half-days)

Important Note: Staff only need to complete one tier (either Tier 1 or Tier 2), determined by their role and the level of interaction they have with autistic people and people with a learning disability.23 Tier 2 training incorporates the content of Tier 1.

๐ŸŽฏ Key Learning Outcomes and Content Focus

The training is mapped to the Core Capabilities Frameworks for Supporting Autistic People and Supporting People with a Learning Disability.24 The content aims to shift culture, attitudes, and practice by focusing on:

  • Understanding Core Concepts: Defining learning disability and autism, and recognizing “invisible disability.”25
  • Person-Centred Care: Moving away from generalized assumptions to truly understanding and meeting individual needs.26
  • Communication: Developing accessible and effective communication strategies.27
  • Reasonable Adjustments: Understanding what they are and how to implement them consistently (e.g., using tools like Hospital Passports).28
  • Avoiding Diagnostic Overshadowing: Recognizing when a physical or mental health issue is being mistakenly attributed to an individual’s learning disability or autism.
  • Legal Context: Awareness of relevant legislation like the Mental Capacity Act and the Autism Act.29
  • Self-Reflection: Encouraging staff to examine their own attitudes, behaviours, and potential subconscious biases.30

โœ… Meeting Compliance and Future Expectations

For CQC-registered providers, compliance is not just about checking a box on a training record. The CQC expects providers to demonstrate that the learning is embedded in practice.31 This involves:

  1. Role Mapping: Assessing every member of staff to determine whether Tier 1 or Tier 2 is appropriate for their role.32
  2. Completion Records: Maintaining accurate records of staff completion for both Part 1 (eLearning) and Part 2 (Interactive/Face-to-Face).33
  3. Embedding Learning: Showing how the training informs real-world practice through supervision, appraisals, and audit. Inspectors will look beyond certificates to assess staff competence in areas like obtaining consent and delivering safe, person-centred care.34

The implementation is often managed regionally through Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which are responsible for facilitating access to the face-to-face (Tier 2) sessions, as capacity builds across the country.35

๐Ÿš€ Conclusion: A Commitment to Equality in Care

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is more than just compliance training; it is a direct, practical response to systemic inequality that costs lives. By mandating this co-produced education, the health and social care system is taking a monumental step toward ensuring that every autistic person and individual with a learning disability receives the safe, compassionate, and informed care they deserve.36 This training is Oliver’s legacyโ€”a commitment that will, hopefully, lead to better health outcomes, reduced avoidable deaths, and a truly inclusive care environment.37

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