Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework for Learning Disabilities and Autism
First Response Training is proud and excited to be one of the first training providers in the country to be able to offer essential training in line with the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework for Learning Disabilities and Autism.
This new training will help to revolutionise training for those who work with and support individuals with learning disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
Why do we need this training?
Following years of campaigning by Oliver McGowan’s family, the introduction of the Health and Care Act 2022 has written into law the requirement for all registered health and social care providers to ensure that their staff receive training in learning disability and autism. The training must include how to interact appropriately with people who have a learning disability and/or autism. It should be at a level appropriate to their role.
The Oliver McGowan training programme is the only training that is guaranteed to meet the requirements laid out in the code of practice and employers using this training can have confidence that the training is recognised by national bodies advising on standards for the sector.
What does the training involve?
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework is a standardised training package developed by Health Education England and Skills for Care. It has been designed, delivered and evaluated with the help of people with learning disabilities and autism.
There are two different tiers of training available and it is the employer's responsibility to ensure their staff have the appropriate training for their roles. First Response Training can deliver both Tier 1 and Tier 2 training of the framework.
Tier 1
For people who require only general awareness of the support people with learning disabilities or autism may need
· Part One: Learners must complete the free eLearning course via eLearning for Healthcare (elfh)
· Part Two: Learners must attend a 60-minute live online webinar
· Maximum learners per session = 30
Tier 2
For health and social care staff with responsibility for providing support for people with a learning disability or autism
· Part One: Learners must complete the free eLearning course on eLearning for Healthcare (elfh)
· Part Two: Learners must attend a 6-hour classroom training course
· Maximum learners per session = 30
Following initial trials, evaluations clearly showed the importance and benefit of including people with lived experience in the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. As such, both the 60-minute online webinar (Tier 1) and the 6-hour classroom course (Tier 2) will be delivered by a trio of trainers. An experienced subject matter trainer will lead delivery, supported by a person with autism and a person with a learning disability, both known as Experts by Lived Experience.
First Response Training can also offer Train the Trainer courses in delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework. These courses will upskill in-house trainers to become Subject Matter Experts and deliver Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 training to other learners, alongside Experts by Lived Experience.
Oliver McGowan's Story - #OliversCampaign
As an infant, Oliver suffered meningitis and received diagnoses of mild hemiplegia, focal partial epilepsy, a mild learning disability and high-functioning autism. As he grew up, Oliver experienced seizures and was hospitalised a number of times.
Despite having no diagnosis of psychosis or any other mental health disorder, Oliver was, on a number of occasions during his stays in the hospital, held against his will and given antipsychotic medication. He reacted badly to this medication. He died on 11th November 2016, aged just 18, after the antipsychotic medication was once again administered to him despite medical staff being told repeatedly by both Oliver and his parents that he had suffered adverse reactions to it in the past.
Following his tragic death, Oliver's family campaigned for years to see meaningful improvements made in healthcare. Find out more about their campaign.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Framework for Learning Disabilities and Autism
Tier 1 Training
Learning Objectives:
- Talked with a person with a learning disability and an autistic person
- Thought about information that is wrong within society, about people with a learning disability and autistic people
- Listened to examples about how a disability or difficulty, cannot always be seen
- Understood that everyone is different and has different needs
- Explained the importance of not making assumptions about what people need
- Talked about types of reasonable adjustment
Tier 2 Training
Learning Objectives:
- Avoiding diagnostic overshadowing
- Frequently co-occurring conditions (co-morbidities)
- The laws: Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights Act, Autism Act
- Reasonable Adjustments including Hospital Passports
- Culture (professional bias and subconscious beliefs); professional behaviour and impact on outcomes and other people's behaviour
- How to communicate in accessible ways
- How to understand what the person (and their family) is saying
- Ask Listen Do
- Learning from LeDer
- Annual health checks