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Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
in Learning Disability and Autism Trial
This training trial is for health and social care staff
in England. It will make a huge difference to people with a learning disability and autistic people in accessing the help they need from the NHS and social care in a way that meets their needs effectively.
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:
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.
The trial launched in Gloucestershire on 1 April 2021, and we are hoping to train a cross section of staff from all sectors.
Unless you work for GHC, which has pledged to train as many staff as possible, 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.
We welcome feedback on the content and delivery of the training, as this will help us shape the development of the final training package, which will become mandatory across England in 2022.
You can find out more about the other national partners here.
About the training
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
Tier 2 is a live hybrid event for which you can book a physical or online place. It 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.
Training dates for Tier 2
You can choose an in-person or an online place. The in-person and online sessions run consecutively on the same dates and at the same time – 9.30am – 4.30pm.
The online sessions are held on Zoom, but you do not need to download the Zoom app to take part. You can access from your browser.
The in-person sessions are being held across Gloucestershire in a variety of venues.
Gloucester locality and online
- 20 October 2021 – in-person places only (online places now full)
- 12 November 2021
- 18 November 2021 – in-person places only (online places now full)
Stroud locality – in-person places only
- 19 August 2021 – online places now full
Cheltenham locality and online
- 26 August 2021 – in-person places only (online places now full)
- 22 September 2021 – in-person places only (online places now full)
- 28 October 2021
- 25 November 2021
Cotswolds locality – in-person places only
- 7 September 2021 (Cirencester)
Forest locality and online
- 15 September 2021 – in-person places only (online places now full)
- 13 October 2021
If you have any questions, please contact OliverMGMT@ghc.nhs.uk
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.
News and events
- Tiers 1 & 2 Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training now open
Booking for Tiers 1 and 2 of the Gloucestershire Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Trial is now open. Click here for further information - Tuesday 6 July – HEE Stakeholder Forum
The stakeholder forum is a regular open meeting where interested groups and organisations share updates, respond to questions and hear the voices of stakeholders. Click here for further information and to register. - Big Health and Wellbeing Open Week: 21-25 June 2021
This week of fun and inclusive activities and events is designed to help people get the right information about their health and wellbeing. Click here to find out more
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
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
As this is a trial, will I need to do the training again when it becomes mandatory?
Unfortunately we do not know the answer at this time. The final mandatory package will be rolled out nationally in 2022-2023 by Health Education England (HEE), based on the evaluation of this trial. Whether people who have taken part in the trial are required to repeat the training is likely to depend on how similar or different the final HEE package is to the current trial package.
However, we continue to liaise with HEE about this matter to try and reduce unnecessary duplication for people. We appreciate everyone is busy, but your input at the trial stage is important to inform the final package and ensure it is beneficial and appropriate for a range of professional groups.
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 using a hybrid model, which means the live event is attended by both online and in-person attendees at the same time. This whole-day 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?
- Tier 1 is running from May until the end of November 2021.
- Tier 2 is running from June until November 2021, but there is a limit on places, so we advise booking as soon as possible.
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
- People who work in NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) CCG and neighbouring counties
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 using a hybrid model, which means the live event is attended by both online and in-person attendees at the same time. This whole-day session runs between 9.30am and 4.30pm, 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.
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
BNSSG staff and those in neighbouring counties
If you work in NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG, or live/work in a county neighbouring Gloucestershire and would like to register.
