What is Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is a government-recommended training programme designed to improve understanding, awareness and support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
It aims to ensure health and social care professionals have the knowledge and skills needed to provide appropriate, person-centred care.
The training was developed following the death of Oliver McGowan, a young man with a learning disability and autism whose experiences highlighted serious gaps in understanding and practice across health and social care.
Following his death in 2016, his family campaigned for improvements to the way autistic people and people with learning disabilities are understood and supported.
Their campaign contributed to the introduction of a legal requirement for health and social care providers to ensure their staff receive appropriate training.
Today, the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended training package to help providers meet this requirement.
For care homes, domiciliary care providers, NHS organisations and other health and social care employers, understanding the training and its requirements is increasingly important.
Is Oliver McGowan training mandatory?
Yes. The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement for CQC-registered health and social care providers to ensure their staff receive training in learning disability and autism appropriate to their role.
The requirement is set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008, as amended by the Health and Care Act 2022.
The Department of Health and Social Care subsequently published the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, which became final on 6 September 2025.
The code sets out standards for the content and delivery of learning disability and autism training and explains how providers should meet their responsibilities.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended training package for supporting organisations to meet this requirement.
Importantly, the legal requirement applies to training appropriate to an individual’s role. It is not simply a requirement for every employee to complete the same level of training.
Employers must consider the responsibilities of their staff and ensure the training they receive is appropriate.
Who needs to complete Oliver McGowan training?
The statutory requirement applies to staff working for health and social care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission in England.
This covers a wide range of organisations and employees, including:
- Residential care home staff.
- Nursing home employees.
- Domiciliary care workers.
- Support workers.
- Healthcare assistants.
- Nurses and other healthcare professionals.
- Managers and senior care staff.
- Other employees working within registered health and social care services.
The appropriate level of training depends on an individual’s role and responsibilities.
For example, an employee who has limited direct contact with people accessing care may require a different level of training from someone who regularly provides personal care or makes decisions affecting their support.
Employers should assess their workforce and determine which tier is appropriate for each role.
What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Oliver McGowan training?
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is structured into two tiers.
Both aim to improve understanding of learning disability and autism, but they are designed for different levels of responsibility and involvement.
Tier 1: General awareness
Tier 1 is designed for people who require a general understanding of learning disability and autism but do not have responsibility for providing direct care and support.
This may include employees in non-patient-facing or non-care roles within health and social care organisations.
The training helps participants understand:
- What learning disabilities are.
- What autism is.
- The experiences of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
- Common misconceptions and stereotypes.
- The importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect.
- The importance of reasonable adjustments.
- How to communicate more effectively.
The full Tier 1 programme comprises eLearning and an interactive webinar, with the webinar delivered by a training trio.
Tier 2: Enhanced training
Tier 2 is designed for employees who provide care and support to autistic people or people with learning disabilities, including those with decision-making responsibilities.
This includes many care workers, support workers, healthcare professionals and managers.
The training explores the subject in greater depth and helps participants understand how to apply their learning in practical situations.
Topics include:
- Understanding different learning disabilities and autistic experiences.
- Recognising individual needs and preferences.
- Avoiding diagnostic overshadowing.
- Understanding co-occurring conditions.
- Relevant legislation, including the Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act.
- Making reasonable adjustments.
- Improving communication.
- Understanding the experiences of individuals and their families.
- Recognising how professional attitudes and assumptions can affect care.
- Promoting positive outcomes through person-centred practice.
The full Tier 2 programme also comprises eLearning and a face-to-face training day, delivered by a training trio.
Which tier should your employees complete?
The correct tier should be determined by the responsibilities of each employee, rather than their job title alone.
For example:
| Employee role | Potential training requirement |
|---|---|
| Administrative staff with no direct care responsibilities | Tier 1 |
| Reception staff in a healthcare setting | Tier 1, depending on responsibilities |
| Residential care workers | Tier 2 |
| Domiciliary care workers | Tier 2 |
| Healthcare assistants providing direct care | Tier 2 |
| Managers with responsibility for care decisions | Tier 2 |
This is an indicative guide rather than a definitive role-by-role classification. Employers should use the Code of Practice to assess individual responsibilities and select the appropriate training.
Who delivers Oliver McGowan training?
One of the most important features of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the involvement of people with lived experience.
The training is delivered by a trio of trainers, comprising:
A facilitating trainer
An appropriately qualified and experienced trainer who leads the session and supports the learning process.
An expert with lived experience of learning disability
Someone who can share their experiences and perspectives to help participants understand the realities of living with a learning disability.
An autistic expert with lived experience
Someone who can provide insight into the experiences of autistic people and help participants develop a better understanding of individual needs.
This approach ensures that lived experience is central to the learning process.
Rather than relying solely on theory and information, participants have the opportunity to hear directly from people whose experiences are at the heart of the training.
It is a particularly important element of the programme because it encourages participants to reflect on their own assumptions, attitudes and approaches to care.
How long does Oliver McGowan training take?
The duration depends on the tier and the elements of the programme being completed.
The full training pathways include:
Tier 1
- eLearning component.
- 60-minute interactive webinar.
Tier 2
- eLearning component.
- One-day face-to-face training session.
The interactive sessions are delivered by the training trio, including experts with lived experience.
Employers should ensure that employees complete the relevant elements of the training pathway rather than treating an individual component as the entire programme.
Does Oliver McGowan training need to be refreshed?
Employers should ensure that staff knowledge and skills remain current and that training continues to be appropriate to their responsibilities.
The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice does not establish one universal annual refresher requirement for every employee.
However, employers should regularly review training needs and consider whether additional learning is required.
This may be appropriate when:
- An employee moves into a different role.
- Their responsibilities change.
- They begin supporting individuals with different needs.
- Changes in guidance or working practices occur.
- Further development is identified through supervision or competency assessments.
It is also important to recognise that Oliver McGowan training does not replace all other specialist learning disability or autism training.
Some roles require additional knowledge and skills beyond the core programme.
Why is Oliver McGowan training important for care providers?
The training is about much more than meeting a regulatory requirement.
It provides an opportunity for organisations to improve the experiences of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
There are several important benefits for employers.
Improved understanding
Employees develop a better understanding of learning disabilities and autism, helping them recognise that individuals have different experiences, needs and preferences.
Better communication
Staff can develop more effective ways of communicating and supporting individuals, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
More person-centred care
Understanding the experiences of autistic people and people with learning disabilities can help employees provide more appropriate and respectful support.
Improved confidence
Employees may feel more confident when supporting individuals whose needs they previously found difficult to understand.
Supporting regulatory responsibilities
Providing appropriate training helps registered providers meet their statutory responsibilities under the Health and Care Act 2022 and the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice.
Where can employers arrange Oliver McGowan training?
First Response Training is an established provider of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and was among the early providers approved to deliver the programme.
The organisation delivers both Tier 1 and Tier 2 training, supporting health and social care providers across the UK.
A particularly important part of its approach is the involvement of experts with lived experience.
First Response Training works with facilitating trainers, autistic experts and experts with lived experience of learning disability to deliver the training in line with the programme’s requirements.
Its provision includes:
- Tier 1 interactive webinars.
- Tier 2 face-to-face training.
- Training for individual delegates.
- Training programmes for larger organisations.
- National delivery capabilities.
- Support for NHS and public sector organisations.
First Response Training has also been awarded a place on the NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub’s Training and Development Services framework, providing an approved procurement route for eligible public sector organisations.
Explore Oliver McGowan training with First Response Training
If your organisation needs to arrange Oliver McGowan training, First Response Training can help you understand the available options and identify an appropriate training programme.
Visit the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training course page to find out more.
You can also explore upcoming public Oliver McGowan courses if you are looking to book individual places.
For larger organisations, NHS providers or care groups requiring training for multiple employees, contact the team to discuss your requirements.
Frequently asked questions about Oliver McGowan training
Is Oliver McGowan training a legal requirement?
The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement for CQC-registered health and social care providers to ensure staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their roles.
Do all care home employees need Oliver McGowan training?
Staff working for CQC-registered providers must receive appropriate training. The correct level depends on their role and responsibilities.
Can Oliver McGowan Tier 1 be completed online?
The Tier 1 programme includes eLearning and a 60-minute interactive webinar. Completing only the eLearning element does not constitute completion of the full Tier 1 programme.
Is Tier 2 training classroom-based?
The Tier 2 programme includes eLearning and a face-to-face training day, delivered by a trio of trainers that includes experts with lived experience.
Can organisations arrange Oliver McGowan training for large groups?
Yes. First Response Training can support organisations with training programmes for multiple employees, including national and public sector organisations.
Does Oliver McGowan training replace autism awareness training?
It provides an important foundation for understanding learning disability and autism, but it does not replace all specialist training. Employees may require additional learning depending on their responsibilities and the needs of the people they support.
Improving the future of health and social care
The introduction of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training represents an important step towards improving understanding, awareness and support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
For employers, it is both a statutory responsibility and an opportunity to develop a more confident, knowledgeable and inclusive workforce.
For employees, it provides valuable insight into the experiences of the people they support and encourages a more person-centred approach to care.
First Response Training is proud to support organisations with the delivery of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, helping to bring lived experience into the learning environment and support meaningful improvements across health and social care.
Find out more about Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training with First Response Training or contact our team to discuss your organisation’s requirements.
