Ofsted has dropped guidance for inspectors which linked autism and extremism after campaigners condemned it as “offensive,” “unfounded” and “clumsy.” The campaign, backed by public figures such as the naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, has led to the Ofsted training manual used to teach inspectors being updated to remove this “unfounded and tenuous”...
LeDeR 2024: Over 1 in 2 adults with a learning disability die before 65
The latest LeDeR reveals that more than 50% of adults with a learning disability die before they reach the age of 65. The annual Learning from Lives and Deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people report (LeDeR) was published in July 2026 and reviewed deaths recorded between 2021 and 2024. It...
FRT delivers Oliver’s Training to over 100,000 learners
A leading national training provider has reached a major milestone in their delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. First Response Training (FRT), which was one of the first training providers in the UK to gain approval to rollout this mandatory programme, has now successfully delivered Oliver’s Training to...
First Response Training staff step up to Walk for Autism
First Response Training (FRT) have signed up a team of 22 staff members to raise awareness and funds as they Walk for Autism. The leading national training provider, which delivers a range of training on autism, neurodiversity and learning disabilities, is pleased to be supporting the annual fundraising challenge which encourages participants to walk...
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training through an approved NHS Framework
First Response Training (FRT) are pleased to be awarded a place on the Training and Development Services framework delivered by the NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub. We are an approved provider of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training via this framework, which provides a fully compliant, pre-approved route to market for all NHS organisations, part or fully government funded organisations and blue-light...
Only 5% of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment
A new report has revealed that less than 5% of people with a learning disability are in paid employment (4.8%). A landmark review into supporting people to stay in work found that people with disabilities face significant barriers to entering the workplace and to staying in work due to a lack of appropriate adjustments....
Proposals to improve SEND system in England
A committee of MPs has set out a 48-point plan to solve the SEND crisis in England, with proposals for national SEND standards and mandatory training. The Parliamentary education committee published a report in September 2025 which recommends a series of policies to improve SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) support in education. The...
Tragic death reveals crisis in the care of people with learning disabilities
Families and campaigners are speaking out after the tragic death of a man with learning disabilities has exposed a crisis in the care of people with learning disabilities and autism. Bereaved families of people with learning disabilities have warned that people are dying due to a lack of NHS training and staff shortages. Adrian...
Autism community warns about ‘dangerous’ Trump claims
Prominent voices from within the autism community – together with health officials and medical experts – have warned that President Trump’s claims about autism are “really dangerous” and could have a significant negative impact. Speaking from the White House on Monday, where he was accompanied by his Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, President...
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training improves awareness and care
Healthcare workers have praised the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training programme for providing them with a “deeper insight” into Oliver’s experiences, helping to improve patient care and enhance communication. Staff from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust attended an Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Tier 2 session during August. The session was delivered by leading national...
Overdue LeDeR report reveals “stark new figures”
The 2023 LeDeR report has been presented to Parliament and published online. The arguably long overdue report relates to avoidable and preventable deaths of people with learning disabilities and autistic people which occurred in the UK in 2023. It reveals some small improvements against a backdrop of “stark new figures” and “unacceptable” differences in...
LeDeR report faces ‘unacceptable delay’
Campaigners urge the government to publish the latest LeDeR report, after it experiences an unexplained and “unacceptable” delay. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is facing mounting pressure to release the delayed report into the deaths of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, with critics accusing the government of “sitting on”...
Children with special educational needs could lose ‘vital’ support
The government has been urged to retain education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Ministers have so far refused to rule out scrapping the education plans, but campaigners argue they provide children with special educational needs with “vital provision,” and “precious legal protections.” When...
Oliver McGowan Draft Code of Practice sets standards for training
The government has published the new Oliver McGowan draft code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training, which sets out the standards required of this training. The Oliver McGowan draft code of practice has been developed to support the implementation of the statutory requirement, introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022,...
First Response Training delivers empowering training for local community group, The Monday Night Club
National training provider First Response Training has delivered “engaging, accessible” first aid training for members of a local social club for adults with a learning disability and autistic people. The Monday Night Club is a fantastic Worcester-based social club run by members, for members. They organise social get-togethers, discos, karaoke evenings, parties, talent shows,...