Why is this training mandatory?
The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement that all regulated health and social care providers ensure their staff receive appropriate learning disability and autism training. This is not optional - it is a legal obligation for every organisation registered with the CQC.
The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young man with a mild learning disability and autism who tragically died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family's wishes. An independent investigation found that inadequate training of health and social care staff was a key contributing factor to his death.
In Oliver's memory, the government developed this standardised training programme for all health and social care staff across England. It is co-delivered with people who have lived experience of learning disability and autism, ensuring the training is rooted in real understanding.
Oliver’s Training has two tiers:
All regulated health and social care staff must complete the tier appropriate to their role. Both tiers are delivered by our team with lived experience of autism and learning disability.
Tier 1
Online WebinarFor all staff who do not directly work with or make decisions about people with a learning disability or autism. Delivered as a live online webinar from any quiet location.
- Live online webinar format
- Attend from any quiet location
- Delivered by those with lived experience
- Meets legal requirements
- Certificate included
Tier 2
In-Person - Full DayFor all staff who directly work with or make decisions about the care and treatment of people with a learning disability or autism. Delivered in person over a full day.
- Full day in-person training (10am - 4:30pm)
- Morning: Learning Disability
- Afternoon: Autism
- Co-delivered with an Expert by Experience
- Certificate included
Quality Assured by the Department of Health
Our delivery is approved by the Department of Health and Social Care's Quality Assured Care Learning Service. This means our training is accepted by the CQC and meets the code of practice.
- Accepted by the CQC
- Meets the code of practice
- Eligible for LDSS cost recovery
- Delivered by those with lived experience - meeting the code of practice
Getting started is simple.
Get in Touch
Book a free 15-minute call or fill out our short enquiry form. No obligation.
We Listen
We learn about your organisation, your team, and what you are trying to achieve.
We recommend
We suggest the right tier and format - bespoke or from our scheduled dates.
We deliver
Live, expert-led training delivered to your team. Certificates worth CPD hours included.
Want to train your own staff to deliver Oliver's Training?
We offer three pathways to certify your organisation's trainers to deliver Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in-house. All trainer training is for organisations only.