The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is aimed at improving care for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. The training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for better education for healthcare staff in this area.
It is the the government’s preferred and recommended training for meeting the requirements of the regulation to train staff in learning disability and autism.
It is nationally recognised and transferrable from employer to employer.
Yes, you can. The Oliver McGowan training is recommended by government, but it’s not the only way to fulfill the legal requirement.
If you do choose another training option, you must be able to demonstrate to the CQC that your chosen training effectively equips staff with the knowledge and skills to support people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched the Oliver McGowan code of practice.
The code sets out the standards that your chosen learning disability and autism training has to meet.
It provides extra information and a basis by which to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of training.
It will start being used on 6 September.
There are three tiers of capabilities for health and social care staff, according to their job role:
- tier 1: for staff who require a general awareness of people with a learning disability and autistic people and the support they need
- tier 2: for health and social care staff and others with responsibility for providing care and support for a person or people with a learning disability or autistic people, but who would seek support from others for complex management or complex decision making
- tier 3: for health and social care staff and other professionals with a high degree of autonomy, able to provide care in complex situations and may also lead services for people with a learning disability and autistic people
There are examples here to help employers understand which tier their staff may need.
The capability tiers are incremental. To gain a tier 3 capability, a person must already have tier 1 and tier 2 capabilities.
CQC requires providers to use training that meets the following requirements, recently added to Regulation 18 (on staffing):
- Providers must ensure that all staff receive training in how to interact appropriately with people with a learning disability and autistic people, at a level appropriate to their role.
- Staff must receive appropriate supervision in their role to ensure they demonstrate and maintain competence in understanding the needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people, including knowing how to support them in the best way.
Currently, CQC does not say that Oliver McGowan is the preferred training. However, if providers are not using Oliver McGowan, CQC will expect them to be able to supply evidence that the other training meets the requirement of the regulation.
This guidance is expected to be updated once the Oliver McGowan code of practice comes into use in September 2025.
CQC says it is for providers to decide what level of training is required by staff in different roles, and to be able to justify and evidence this decision when asked. If Tier 3 training is not appropriate to the job role, CQC does not expect it.
See this FAQ guide to accessing the Oliver McGowan training.
The initial online training module, accessible through NHS England’s e-learning for healthcare platform, is free for everyone.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 both involving e-learning and either a live online session (Tier 1) or a face-to-face training (Tier 2).
The first part of both Tier 1 and Tier 2 is this e-learning. Everyone will need the e-learning regardless of where they work and the Tier of training they require. It is free to access.
The second part of the training is either a live 1 hour online interactive session for those needing Tier 1, or, a 1-day face to face training for people who require Tier 2.
There is a focus on lived experience and the underpinning principle is “nothing about us, without us”. Tier 2 training incorporates the perspectives of individuals with learning disabilities and autism, some of whom are co-trainers.
The cost of Oliver McGowan training varies depending on the tier and delivery method. Tier 1 is free for the online component through Health Education England’s eLearning. For Tier 2, the cost for a single session accommodating up to 30 participants can be around £900 (excluding VAT).
The DHSC has said that funding for Oliver McGowan training will be made available to the adult social care sector in Autumn 2025 through the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). Training delivered from April 2025 – March 2026 will be considered for reimbursement.
The initial online training module, accessible through NHS England’s e-learning for healthcare platform, is free for everyone. You can access this here: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism – elearning for healthcare
The Surrey Skills Academy offers some free places. These are advertised on their course listings page as and when they become available. Alternatively you can contact them here: surreyskillsacademy@surreycc.gov.uk
Lists of approved trainers and organisations who can deliver The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training are available on the approved trainer and training provider webpage.
Local training providers may offer training at more affordable rates than on the open market. Examples include:
The Good Consulting Company
Autism Oxford
Dynamic Training
Care Talent Collective
