What is Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in LD and Autism?
This training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose tragic death in 2016 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.
You can find out more about the other national partners here.
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.
If you have any questions about the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism, please contact learning@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.
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training launches in England
The long-awaited rollout of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism was officially launched in England on Tuesday 1 November 2022.
The training, which passed into law in May this year as part of the Health and Care Act 2022, 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.
Final evaluation report published
In June 2022, NTDi, the independent evaluator for the trials, reported its findings. You can read the report here: NDTi Evaluation Report June 2022.docx (sharepoint.com)
Stakeholder Forum - 26 May 2022
A fifth stakeholder forum took place on 25 May, with more than 650 people in attendance
We celebrated the success of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training trial and looked ahead to the future, hearing from speakers including the Minister of State for Care and Mental Health, Gillian Keegan, Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May, Oliver’s parents, Paula McGowan OBE and Tom McGowan, experts by experience, and Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP about what Oliver’s Training means to them.
We also heard from our independent evaluation partner, NDTI, about their findings. This slide pack was delivered at the event and contains an overview of their findings.
About the training
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!”
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
