What is Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in LD and Autism?
This training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for health and social care staff to have better training in learning disabilities and autism.
It is part of a national commitment to develop a standardised training package and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) was one of four national partners appointed to co-design and co-deliver the training for groups of health and social care staff as part of a national pilot.
The project team comprises:
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Inclusion Gloucestershire
- Family Partnership Solutions
- Gloucestershire County Council
All of the training is fully co-designed and co-delivered with people with a learning disability, autistic people, family carers and people working within learning disability and autism services.
You can find out more about the other national partners here.
Attendance is NOT mandatory at this time. However, we would very much encourage health and social care colleagues to take part. Indeed, anyone who may occasionally interact with people with a learning disability and/or autistic people, but who do not have responsibility for providing direct care or making decisions about care or support – such as those working in education, law enforcement, Jobcentre staff, bus drivers, for example – would benefit from this training.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training passes into law
Today (12th May 2022) the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism (OMMT) passed into law as part of the Health and Care Act 2022, following strong support by the Government to legislate for mandatory training across the health and care sectors.
OMMT will educate and train health and social care staff, at the right level for their role, to provide better health and social care outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
OMMT is named after 18-year-old Oliver McGowan, whose tragic death highlighted the need for health and social care staff to have better training and understanding in learning disabilities and autism.
Gloucestershire Health and Care formed one of four national partners appointed to co-design and co-deliver the training as part of a national trial to develop a standardised training package.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism is the result of tireless campaigning, especially from Oliver’s parents Tom and Paula McGowan, who have been at the forefront of calls for better understanding and training for health and care professionals since Oliver’s tragic death in 2016.
Additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 dates now available
Although the trial is currently in the evaluation phase, we have added new Tier 1 and Tier 2 training dates as an interim offer until the recommendations for the mandatory rollout are available. For dates and locations, see below.
So long as they have completed the tier relevant to their role, those who have completed the training during the trial or evaluation period will not need to repeat it when it becomes mandatory, until the renewal cycle.
People are very welcome to attend both tiers, but in general, clinical staff (doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, allied health professionals, for example) should attend Tier 2. Non-clinical staff (administrative, facilities or estates management colleagues, for example) should attend Tier 1. See descriptions of Tier 1 and Tier 2 training below.
If you have any questions, please contact learning@ghc.nhs.uk
Tier 1
Tier 1 entails two hours of online activity including viewing an information film and attending a 30-minute live webinar. It is relevant to all staff working in any sector who may occasionally interact with people with a learning disability and autistic people, but who do not have responsibility for providing direct care or making decisions about care or support.
Tier 2
This whole-day event is relevant to health and social care staff and others with responsibility for providing care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability, but who would seek support from others for complex management or complex decision making.
These sessions are being delivered in person at venues in Gloucestershire, or virtually, via Zoom.
The evaluation phase
The eight-month trial, which launched in Gloucestershire on 1 April 2021, is currently in the evaluation phase. The Department for Health and Social Care will use the recommendations from the evaluation to inform a wider rollout when the final training package becomes mandatory across England in 2022/23.
Interim report published
Independent Evaluator NDTi has published its interim report of the progress of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism Trial (November 2021). The report describes the progress so far and shares some of the early insights at this stage of the trial.
You can read the report here and there is also an Easy Read version here.
Stakeholder event and final evaluation report
The next stakeholder event will take place on Wednesday 25 May 2022. This event will be a celebration of how far the Oliver McGowan Training Project has come and evaluation partners NDTi will present findings from the final evaluation report – which will help to shape the rollout of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism.
About the training
Training dates
Tier 1 webinars
All Tier 1 webinars delivered via Zoom
These 30-minute webinars will take place twice a week, until the end of June 2022.
- Health and Social Care / Primary Care staff can book a place via their Proud to Learn account with Gloucestershire County Council.
- Gloucestershire Health and Care staff can book via Care to Learn.
Booking links can be found at the bottom of this page.
Tier 2 in-person sessions
We are delivering face-to-face/in-person Tier 2 sessions at the venues below.
Each session is co-delivered by an Expert by Experience, a family carer and a professional person working within a learning disability service.
This whole-day event is relevant to health and social care staff and others with responsibility for providing care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability, but who would seek support from others for complex management or complex decision making.
All sessions run 9.30am to 4.30pm
In-person locations
| Date | Venue |
| 24/05/22 | The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham |
| 30/06/22 | The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham |
- Health and Social Care / Primary Care staff can book a place via their Proud to Learn account with Gloucestershire County Council.
- Gloucestershire Health and Care staff can book via Care to Learn.
Booking links can be found at the bottom of this page.
Tier 2 virtual sessions
We are delivering virtual Tier 2 sessions via Zoom on the dates below.
Each session is co-delivered by an Expert by Experience, a family carer and a professional person working within a learning disability service.
This whole-day event is relevant to health and social care staff and others with responsibility for providing care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability, but who would seek support from others for complex management or complex decision making.
All sessions run 9.30am to 4.30pm, via Zoom
| Date |
| 18/05/22 |
| 13/06/22 |
- Health and Social Care / Primary Care staff can book a place via their Proud to Learn account with Gloucestershire County Council.
- Gloucestershire Health and Care staff can book via Care to Learn.
Booking links can be found at the bottom of this page.
What people are saying about the training
Testimonials
“Completed the online training and joined Tim, one of the Experts by Experience team members. Tim was incredibly informative and made the session very engaging. Most definitely worth attending both training sessions to create an understanding and awareness.”
“The Oliver McGowan Training is an insightful, informative and emotive training package. The training is predominately delivered by those with lived experience who truly understand the impact of conditions, diagnosis and the important discussions required in relation to their health and social care needs.”
“I feel this training is extremely important for all health professionals in highlighting the individual behind the documentation and their desires to be seen, heard and to lead a fulfilled life. It will change my approach to communications ensuring I adhere to ‘Ask, Listen, Do’, in order to achieve the most positive outcomes for the individuals themselves.”
“Some of my colleagues did Tier 2 this week and it was brilliant… really brilliant! A must for ALL who work in the care sector. Very powerful stories. Excellent training!”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Primary Care
How do I book onto the training?
Primary Care staff should book on via Proud to Learn, the Gloucestershire County Council learning management system, via this link: community.learnpro.com
If you do not have a Proud to Learn account, please email proudtolearn@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Do we sign up individually or as a practice / PCN?
People can sign up individually, or can book several places on the same course. Unfortunately, as the dates are set and trainers are booked, we are not in a position to offer bespoke training days.
Which training should I attend?
People are very welcome to attend both tiers, but in general, clinical staff (doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, allied health professionals, for example) should attend Tier 2.Non-clinical staff (administrative, facilities or estates management colleagues, for example) should attend Tier 1.
If I'm doing the training virtually, do I still need to do the training that is local to me, or can I choose any date?
People can attend any session, either in person or via Zoom. We have shared locality information to make it easier for some people who wish to attend in person but cannot travel far, but people are not tied to attending in any particular location.
How long is the training?
Tier 1 comprises a learning module of 1.5 hours, plus a 30-minute, Zoom-based webinar, led by an Expert by Experience and a co-facilitator.
Tier 2 comprises one whole day of training, either online or in person. This session runs between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
Other FAQs
Do I have to do this training?
No, this is a trial, with the aim of finding out how to best deliver to a wide range of staff. The data from this trial will by analysed by the National Development Team for Inclusion. This data will then be used to build the mandatory training which will come out next year. At that point it will be mandatory for everyone, so it is really important that you share your views by completing the survey before and after the training.
When is the training running?
The training will be running until the end of June 2022.
Which level of training do I need?
You do not have to do both tiers of training, but you are welcome to if your manager is happy for you to have the time.
The descriptions below will help you and your manager to decide which training you should choose.
Tier 1 is suitable for…
Those that require general awareness of autistic people and/or people with a learning disability and the support they need. This tier is relevant to those working in any sector who may occasionally interact with those affected by a learning disability, but who do not have responsibility for making decisions about their care or support. For example, this may include those working in education, policing, custodial care, housing, or indeed any organisation.
This is also relevant to the entire health and social care workforce, including ancillary and clerical staff. Tier 1 is also relevant to autistic people, or people with a learning disability, the family, friends and carers of people with a learning disability and/or autistic people, to ensure they are making the most of the support on offer and can plan effectively for current and future needs.
Tier 2 is suitable for…
Health and social care staff and others with responsibility for providing care and support for an autistic person or person with a learning disability, but who would seek support from others for complex management or complex decision-making. This is relevant to health and social care workers providing care and support, including care assistants working in residential or home care, personal assistants and others in roles which facilitate access to care. Tier 2 may also be relevant to autistic people or those with a learning disability, and family and friends who are providing care and support.
Tier 2 also underpins the more specialist skills and knowledge required at Tier 3, but Tier 3 training is beyond the scope of the trial.
Who can access the training?
- The health and social care workforce
- Other people who support autistic people or people with a learning disability in their work
What is the time commitment?
- Tier 1 comprises a learning module of 1.5 hours, plus a 30-minute, Zoom-based webinar, led by an Expert by Experience and a co-facilitator.
- Tier 2 comprises one whole day of training – either online or in person. As with Tier 1, this whole-day session (which runs between 9.30am and 4.30pm), is led by an Expert by Experience and a co-facilitator. You can book a place to attend either via Zoom, or in the room. Sessions will run across various venues in the county to reach more rural areas, as well as some larger central venues.
Will I need to repeat the training when it becomes mandatory?
So long as you have completed the tier relevant to your role, you will not need to repeat the training until the renewal cycle.
Booking on to the training
Health and Social Care / Primary Care staff
You can book a place via your Proud to Learn account with Gloucestershire County Council
If you do not have a Proud to Learn account please email proudtolearn@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Gloucestershire Health and Care staff
If you work for Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust you can access via your learning profile on Care to Learn
Further information
- Health Education England answers FAQs about training and delivery of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on its website here
- Skills for Care is coordinating all enquiries about the trials and evaluation, on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care and Health Education England. Visit their website here
