First Response Training (FRT) were nominated for an award at this year’s National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards.
The leading national training provider was nominated in the Employer category, and had the distinction of being the only training provider to be shortlisted in this category.
Held on Friday 4th July 2025 at the ICC Birmingham, the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards were established to celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. They pay tribute to individuals and organisations who are providing high quality care, highlighting their dedication and commitment.
Individuals and organisations can nominate their colleagues and employees to celebrate their hard work and excellence in the sector.
On their website, they explain that the awards “represent all areas of care and support for people with learning disabilities and autism within the care sector, whether it be young or older people, supporting people in their own homes, the residential care sector or the voluntary sectors. From frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.”
Only training provider nominated for the Employer Award
FRT were shortlisted for the Employer Award, which recognises an exceptional employer who is committed to ensuring their employees deliver an excellent service to their customers, people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and their families.
Generally, nominees are social care providers but FRT were the sole training provider to be shortlisted in this prestigious category.
FRT provide a range of training for people who support and care for individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people. This includes their large-scale, successful delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework on Learning Disability and Autism across the UK. As part of this impactful delivery, FRT works with people with learning disabilities and autistic people, who they employ as Experts with Lived Experience Co-Trainers.
FRT provides a range of tailored support for their Expert Co-Trainers, ensuring all required reasonable adjustments and additional assistance is in place.
They also provide all documents in easy-read format, have a dedicated office-based team to recruit, induct and support Expert Co-Trainers every step of the way, and have a telephone support line for all Experts to access.
They now employ over 80 people with learning disabilities and/or autism across the UK. They are a Disability Confident Committed organisation and were recently awarded INclusive Worcestershire Leader status. They regularly work with charity and community groups to explore the support they can provide with both learning and employment opportunities.
Amratpal Bhogal, Expert with Lived Experience of a Learning Disability at FRT, says:
“I love being a co-trainer because I get to meet so many people from different parts of the NHS and share my lived experience with them. The support I’ve received has been incredible.”
Perry Leeks, Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Project Manager at FRT, says:
“While we didn’t take home the trophy last week, being the only training provider to be shortlisted for the Employer Award is something we’re extremely proud of. It was an incredible night with so many inspirational stories and achievements celebrated.
“The nomination reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team, but particularly Becky Cropper and Nicole Angel, who do outstanding work to support our Experts with Lived Experience Co-Trainers.
“A special thank you also of course goes to our inspiring team of Expert Co-Trainers and our committed group of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Lead and Facilitating Trainers.”
Awards recognise ‘supportive environment’
FRT credit their success to their dedication to creating a supportive environment where Expert Co-Trainers feel empowered to share their lived experience, while Facilitating Trainers tell Oliver’s story and draw on the insight and experiences of healthcare staff.
Perry explains that this distinctive delivery approach “fosters genuine self-reflection, with staff returning to their settings feeling inspired and motivated to improve practice.”
He adds:
“Feedback consistently shows that this approach is having a significant impact and helping to raise standards across health and social care.”
Delivering Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
FRT are focusing on continuing to make a real impact through this important training programme, and are already looking ahead to the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards 2026.
They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.
FRT was one of the first training providers in the country to be approved to offer essential training in line with the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
The national training provider aims to empower and educate staff to transform their practice by embracing the lived experiences of autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities. Through the collaborative strength of their trios—facilitating trainers and experts with lived experience — FRT aims to inspire lasting change in how individuals are understood, supported, and valued.
FRT are hosting a series of open, public Tier 2 courses in London, Manchester and Birmingham in the coming months. You can book a space on any of these courses online now.
FRT have also developed a free-to-download quick guide to the new Oliver McGowan draft code of practice.
This guide explains what the new code of practice means for health and social care providers, how to stay current, and how to meet new legal duties.
You can also download FRT’s free Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training brochure.
Providing an alternative training solution
To offer health and care providers flexibility and choice, FRT have also developed their own Tier 2 Mandatory Autism and Learning Disabilities Training package.
Fully mapped to the core capabilities framework, Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Code of Practice and externally accredited, this package offers providers an efficient, affordable alternative solution.
Please note that, while fully interactive, this webinar-based training solution does not meet the code of practice’s requirement for the training to be ‘face-to-face’.
The training is designed to meet statutory standards and equip health and social care staff to deliver more empathetic, person-centred support.
A trainer at FRT explains:
“This isn’t just about compliance. It’s a chance to improve outcomes, reduce bias, and truly understand the lived realities of autistic individuals and people with learning disabilities.”
You can learn more about how FRT developed this training package here.
For further information on other types of neurodiversity training, visit their webpage or download the brochure.
You can contact FRT via freephone 0800 310 2300, send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com or submit an online enquiry.