FAQs: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

5. How can my organisation view reports on who has accessed the elearning?

This will depend on how your employees are accessing the elearning. Organisational reporting is available, please contact the elfh support team directly to see what options are available to you and read the organisational reporting document.

6. I have completed the elearning but my learning management system has not recorded it. What can I do?

All videos and learning sessions within the elearning must be played fully to record completion. You can check your progress by clicking on the grey striped bar at the top of the screen. A panel on the right hand side will show which sections have been fully competed and which are still to complete. Make sure all videos have played fully to the end.

If you’re using the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) platform to complete the elearning, you need to ensure you close the session with the ESR close button, not the close button in the session. Closing the session with the in-session exit button will close the session but not save it to ESR.

7. Can my organisation deliver the elearning to a group of staff?

The elearning can be delivered to a group of staff. In such circumstances it will need to be delivered as a facilitated learning session which includes group discussions and reflection. Employers will need to update staff records accordingly.

8. How can I access the elearning handbook?

The handbook is available from the elearning for healthcare platform, as a separate elearning session. By clicking “play”, the handbook automatically downloads to your device.

9. How can I access the second part of the training from an external training provider?

We are in the early stages of rolling out the trainer training and expect that later in the year there will be more trainers and training organisations delivering training.

The list of training organisations with approved trainers offering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training will soon be available on this website.

10. How can I ensure the training offered is The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism?

The lists of approved trainers who can deliver The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training will soon be available on our website.

The list of training providers with approved trainers offering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training will soon be available on our website.

Only approved training providers can describe their training as “The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability” or use “Oliver McGowan” in their training title as this is now a registered trademark.

If you have any queries or questions about approved trainers and providers, contact ommtprogramme@hee.nhs.uk.

11. Can people outside the UK access the elearning?

The elearning is available on eIntegrity for those who wish to access the elearning outside of the UK.

Operational questions for employers

12. What are the costs associated with this training?

The first part of the training, the elearning, is free for everyone in the UK to access.

The second part of the training requires facilitating trainers and expert with lived experience co-trainers.

The costs associated with this for employers will depend on how the employer supports their workforce to access the second part of the training. NHS England is providing funding in 2023/24 to Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) to build and co-ordinate trainer capacity and capability.

Employers who wish to deliver the training in-house are encouraged to work with their ICPs to achieve this. Trainers working across ICPs have been trained to cascade the trainers’ training. Employers may choose to work with external training providers and can buy training from an approved training provider directly.

13. What does The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism cover?

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism content has been developed with reference to tier 1 and tier 2 capabilities contained within the Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting People with a Learning Disability and the Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting Autistic People.

Both frameworks are nationally recognised and have been developed to provide a focus on the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected for staff offering services to autistic people and people with a learning disability.

All staff that require a general awareness of the support for autistic people or people with a learning disability are advised that they need to cover all of the tier 1 capabilities in the frameworks. Tier 1 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism covers all the Core Capabilities Frameworks’ tier 1 capabilities.

Staff with responsibility for providing care, support or healthcare, including social care and other professionals with a high degree of autonomy, are expected to complete the Tier 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training which includes content on: 

• Avoiding diagnostic overshadowing
• Frequently co-occurring conditions (co-morbidities)
• The laws: Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights Act, Autism Act, Equality Act
• Reasonable adjustments including hospital passports,
• Appropriate application of DNACPR
• Culture (professional bias and subconscious beliefs); professional behaviour and impact on outcomes and other people’s behaviour
• How to communicate in accessible ways
• How to understand what the person (and their family) is saying
• Ask Listen Do
• Learning from LeDer

Depending on their role, staff may require further capabilities in addition to those covered in the Tier 2 package. It is the responsibility of employers to determine any further capabilities their staff need and to put in place the appropriate provisions.

Employers should refer to the frameworks to ensure their staff have the capabilities they need for their roles.

14. How do I know which Tier I/ my employees need to complete?

Tier 1 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is for people who require general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need.  

Tier 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability.  

Depending on their role, staff may require further capabilities in addition to those covered in the Tier 2 package. It is the responsibility of employers to determine any further capabilities their staff need and to put in place the appropriate provisions.

It is the employers’ responsibility to ensure their staff have the appropriate training for their roles and they will need to advise staff on whether they should complete Tier 1 or Tier 2. Employers can refer to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Tier Guidance.

15. I deliver specialist learning disability and/or autism services and have undertake training already. Why do I need to do Oliver's training?

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is a standardised training package to ensure that staff across health and social care develop a common understanding of key issues and that consistent language is used across health and care organisations. As such it is transferable from employer to employer.

Oliver’s Training delivers learning outcomes on both learning disability and autism and is a foundation for all staff across health and social care. Staff working in specialist services may need further training to develop their capabilities. 

We receive feedback from many specialist practitioners saying this is the best mandatory training they have done, and they have refreshed existing or even gained new knowledge.

This is a good opportunity for you to champion the need for this training for all staff and role model the core values to other participants. Your experience can bring rich discussions in the interactive training for other staff.

Please consider becoming a trainer or signposting the people you work with to the opportunity to become co-trainers with lived experience.

16. My organisation does not deliver any learning disability or autism specialist services. What do my staff need to complete?

The Health and Care Act 2022 legal requirement applies to all CQC-regulated services. The requirement states that CQC regulated service providers must ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role.

 Employers can refer to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Tier Guidance to help them decide what level of training their staff need.

17. Who is responsible for ensuring agency staff complete The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

Employers have the responsibility to ensure that whoever works for them has the skills and knowledge they need to perform their role. How statutory and mandatory training requirements are met need to be agreed between the employer and the agency provider.

18. Is The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training relevant to all settings and all ages?

The standard learning packages are relevant to all staff from across all health and social care services.

Where appropriate, trainers will contextualise the training to make the session relevant, context-specific and impactful for attendees.

The resources used within the training, for example video case studies, can be tailored to attendees’ settings. A library of resources is in development for the health and social care sector and will be added to over time.

19. How soon after completing the elearning should I participate in part 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (the 1 hour online interactive session for Tier 1 or 1 day face to face training for Tier2)?

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism requires both parts of the training to be completed (the elearning and the interactive online or face to face session).

The elearning is a valuable resource and we encourage everyone to access it as soon as possible. The elearning is a vital first step to give staff knowledge and skills to help change culture and improve lives now.

Part 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (the interactive online and the face-to-face sessions) makes reference to the elearning package and participants need to recall information from the elearning during part 2 of the training. Ideally part 1 and part 2 will be completed within days of each other.

In circumstances where as much as 6 months have elapsed, we ask participants to refresh their memory ahead of the interactive or face to face session. The elearning package can be replayed at any time so it can be completed and then revisited ahead of attending part 2.

20. Why has The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism elearning (part 1) been launched before the interactive online or face to face session (part 2) is available?

Whilst both parts must be undertaken to have completed The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, the elearning is a valuable resource that can be of benefit to staff now.

The elearning may also be a source of inspiration and information for people with lived experience of autism or learning disability who may wish to train to become co-trainers.

21. How often should The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training be completed?

The Secretary of State is required to publish a Code of Practice, which will make provisions about this. The Secretary of State must carry out a formal consultation on the Code ahead of publishing the Code. Timings for the consultation are currently being considered.

22. Will there be enough trainers to train everyone in The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

There is a need for more trainers with a learning disability and trainers who are autistic. This is an opportunity for experts with lived experience co-deliver the training, gain skills, and employment.

The proportion of adults with a learning disability in paid employment in England is 4.8% (NHS Digital, 2022). Only 21.7% of autistic people are employed in the UK (ONS 2021). It is a government priority to tackle economic inequality and promote equal opportunities.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training provides a real route to improve access to work for disabled people, enabling them gain new skills and join the contract workforce.

We have put in place a cascade model of rollout so we can build capacity across systems at pace.

Our involving people with lived experience guidance may help employers involve people with a learning disability and autistic people in co-delivering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. Employers may also find the NDTi report on involving experts by experience helpful.

23. Will the training be part of the Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF)?

The Core Skills Training Framework is currently being reviewed. As part of that review the team is considering including The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

24. Will the Care Certificate include The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

Discussions are underway about including The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism within the Care Certificate.

25. Can I deliver this training in-house with my own trainers?

Employers can deliver the training in-house, using trainers trained and approved to deliver Oliver’s Training. Integrated Care Partnerships will be able to advise how employers can train their own trainers. Each Integrated Care Partnership can cascade trainers’ training.

26. Are there standard job descriptions for the trainer roles?

We have provided example job description and person specification templates on the employer resources webpage.

27. How can I support and recruit experts with lived experience co-trainers?

To help employers involve people with a learning disability and autistic people in co-delivering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training team and partners published involving people with lived experience guidance.

Employers may also find the The National Development Team for Inclusion (NTDi) report on involving experts by experience helpful.

Employers may also explore with their Integrated Care Partnerships if there is any support or arrangements in place to recruit experts with lived experience.

Many local advocacy and support groups have told us they do or are willing to offer advice and connections.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) produced guidance for researchers and professionals on managing payments.

NHS England have developed trainer training to prepare and support experts with lived experience. This is delivered by approved Tier 2 lead trainers. Once employers have identified their expert with lived experience co-trainers they can work with their ICBs to access the standardised trainer training for their experts with lived experience.

28. What is the rate of pay for experts with lived experience co-trainers?

We advise employers to ensure everyone gets a fair renumeration. The code of practice will provide further guidance on this.

Our co-trainer expert by experience job description was job matched at band 5 of the NHS Agenda for Change for change pay scale.

29. What evaluation has been carried out on The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

The government commissioned the development of standardised training and during 2021 training developed by three training partners was trialled across the health and care sectors. The National Development Team for Inclusion (NTDi) was appointed as the independent evaluator for the trials.

The learning and recommendations from the evaluation of the trials informed the final training packages of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will commission a longitudinal evaluation running from 2024–2028. The project will evaluate the implementation and impact of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. The research opportunity is now being pre-advertised on the NIHR website.

30. Can a trainer co-deliver the Tier 2 training virtually (live) or must they be phsyically present?

The standardised package requires Tier 2 to be deliver face to face (with trainers in the same room as attendees, not hybrid).

This was a recommendation from the trials and is the case for both the facilitating trainers and the co-trainers with a learning disability and autistic trainers.

31. Is there a timescale for completion?

The Code of Practice will outline the refresher period. We expect that the period, like many others, will be 3 years. In this scenario, employers would need a pragmatic roll-out plan, prioritising risks, that works for the size and nature of their service.

Operational questions for trainers

32. What if the expert by experience co-trainer is unwell on the day of the training or cannot attend?

Training providers will need to be prepared for how they will deal with this scenario as they already do with other types of training when one of the trainers has unplanned absence.

Getting involved

33. I am an expert by experience, can I be involved?

We need experts with lived experience of autism or learning disability to help deliver the training.

If you would like to get involved, you can apply online or by completing an application form (you only need to do one).

• Online expression of interest form
• Easy read trainer expression of interest form in a word document - this will need to be returned by email and sent to ommtprogramme@hee.nhs.uk

The details you give in the form will be sent to the regional team arranging The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in your region. The regional team will get in touch with you to share further information and any opportunities in your local area when they become available.

34. I am a carer or family member. Can I be involved?

Carers or family members can be involved as trainers and supporters of the experts with lived experience. They might also be able to undertake a facilitating trainer role, depending on their experience and knowledge.

Importantly, family members and carers who do not have a learning disability or who are not autistic cannot take the place of experts who have a learning disability or who are autistic in co-delivery of the training.

Tier 1 training requires a facilitating trainer and the live contribution of 2 experts with lived experience: 1 autistic person and 1 person with a learning disability, as a minimum.

Tier 2 training is delivered in 2 parts, learning disability, and autism. Each requires both a facilitating trainer and the presence of an expert with lived experience of the relevant subject, as a minimum.

35. How can experienced training providers get involved?

Training providers with specialist knowledge and experience in delivering learning disability can contact their Integrated Care Partnership to explore how they might be involved in the delivery of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

Details submitted on this expression of interest form will be sent to the NHS England regional lead arranging capacity building in your region.    

36. I have completed an expression of interest, when will I be contacted?

Your expression of interest will have been shared with the region(s) you noted on your form. Regional leads will ensure you are then connected with relevant teams.

Please do not worry if you have not received much information yet.

Many organisations are still developing their plans for rolling out the training and are not yet at the stage where they are recruiting trainers. It may be a little time before job opportunities are advertised, but the regional team will provide updates.

You can check that your details have been recorded by emailing ommtprogramm@hee.nhs.uk.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism and other training

37. Can employers use a different learning disability and autism training package instead of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training standardised package?

In July, the Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a requirement that CQC regulated service providers ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role.   

The Secretary of State is required to publish a Code of Practice, which will make provisions about the nature of the training including the content, delivery and ongoing evaluation of the impact of the training. The Code of Practice will offer guidance to employers about what training will satisfy the requirement of the Act.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff. 

It was developed as a single standardised training package as set out in Right to be heard (2019) the government’s response to the consultation on proposals for introducing mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff.

It was co-produced and trialled and independently evaluated in order to provide good practice training on learning disability and autism. Employers using The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism can have confidence that this training is recognised by national bodies advising on standards for the sector.

The CQC have issued guidance about training staff to support autistic people and people with a learning disability, the new requirement and their approach. As the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England they can advise on the circumstances they will use their powers to take action.

38. Can we use our own elearning package, followed by part 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

This is not possible. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training consists of the standardised elearning, available on elearning for healthcare, and the standardised interactive second part. The training has been designed so part two builds on the learning from part one.

39. Can my organisation use Oliver’s Story video in our own learning disability and autism training?

This video is part of Oliver’s Campaign which is now a registered trademark. Paula McGowan OBE has only given permission for the video to be used as part of the standardised The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. It cannot be used in other education and training packages or sessions. 

Permission must be sought from Paula McGowan OBE prior to using any of Oliver’s Campaign material.

You can find out more on the Oliver’s Campaign website and you can also follow Paula on Twitter.

40. How does The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism link with other NHS England commissioned training? 

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is designed to provide the essential training that everyone needs. Other training, such as the suite of training packages developed by NHS England, is designed to be delivered in addition to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. This is because the other training we provide covers learning outside the scope of the standardised The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.

Oliver’s Training is a vital and important first step in a journey to change health and care culture towards learning disability and autism. It provides a standardised package, so we know that everyone has a shared understanding of the essentials concerning learning disability and autism. Staff in roles that require more than the essential skills and knowledge will need additional training to enable them to perform their roles.

The additional training may come from a diverse range of sources, for example, child intellectual disability psychiatry training, Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability and autistic people (STOMP) training or training specific to an individual.

Health and Care Act 2022, CQC and compliance

41. What does the Health and Care Act 2022 say about the new learning disability and autism training requirement?

The Health and Care Act 2022 introduces a requirement that providers registered with the CQC must ensure that each person working for the purpose of regulated activities carried on by them receives training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role.

As set out in the Health and Care Act 2022, the government is also required to publish a Code of Practice to provide guidance about how to meet this new legal requirement for training on learning disability and autism. This Code of Practice is still being developed and will need to be consulted on before it is available.

The CQC has provided statutory guidance on how to meet their legislative requirement while the Code of Practice is being developed and new requirements for health and social care providers.

The new legal requirement for training on learning disability and autism and the Code of Practice is set out in section 181 of the Act.

42. Who does the new requirement in the Health and Care Act 2022 apply to?

Service providers who are registered with CQC in respect of a regulated activity must comply with this new requirement for training on learning disability and autism. A service provider is an individual, partnership or organisation who provides, or intends to provide, health or adult social care services in England which include regulated activities. For further information, read the CQC regulated activities webpage. Like all CQC regulations, the new requirement applies to all CQC registered providers whatever the setting or population group, for example a care home, dentist, GP surgery or hospital.

Staff in administrative and support roles are considered to be part of the delivery of regulated activity as they work alongside more direct support staff. Consideration should be given to what training is appropriate to the person’s role.

CQC statutory guidance will assist providers in knowing how to meet this new requirement, and like all CQC guidance to the regulations, providers must have due regard to it.

43. What will the Code of Practice say?

The Code of Practice will explain how providers can meet the new legal requirement for learning disability and autism training going forward. The Code of Practice will outline the content, delivery, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism which is the government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff.

44. When will the Code of Practice be available?

There are a number of steps and a series of engagement involved in publishing a Code of Practice and these will determine the publication timeline. As set out in the Health and Care Act 2022, the Secretary of State is required to run a formal consultation on the Code of Practice once it has been drafted. Consultations of this nature are usually live for 3 months. The draft Code of Practice must also be laid before Parliament for 40 days prior to publication.

In the meantime, CQC has updated its statutory guidance on Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Like all CQC guidance to the regulations, providers will be expected to have regard to it.

45. How will this new training requirement be enforced?

The existing CQC Enforcement policy will be applied in any determination of a breach of regulation and in considering appropriate regulatory action. CQC will act with due proportionality and consider all relevant circumstances on a case-by-case basis, with respect to the new requirement, including providers’ application of CQC statutory guidance.

46. Weren’t providers registered with the CQC required to ensure their staff have the appropriate training for their role prior to the requirements introduced in the Health and Act 2022?

Service providers were already required to provide appropriate training for their staff to enable them to carry out the duties they are employed to perform. This is set out in Regulation 18: Staffing – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

However, from 1 July, the new legal requirement is that CQC regulated service providers are “to ensure that each person working for the purpose of the regulated activities carried on by them receives training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role”. You can also read Health and Care Act 2022 and the CQC’s updated statutory guidance for Regulation 18.

In other words, although Regulation 18 already said that providers needed to provide training that was appropriate for their staff, the new requirement makes explicit that all staff working for CQC regulated services must receive training on learning disability and autism that is appropriate to their role.

Employers should carefully consider the type of contact their staff have with people who have a learning disability and autistic people and provide training suitable to meet their needs. This may include staff such as receptionists, administrative, kitchen staff, housekeeping, and other relevant employees.

47. If a service is not CQC regulated does this mean their staff do not have to complete the training?

Right to be heard, the government response to the consultation on proposals for introducing mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff, stated that the government would introduce legislation for CQC registered providers and consider how to achieve the same expectation for other parts of the health and care workforce.

Whilst there is currently no specific statutory requirement for providers who are not registered with CQC, the government encourages all employers to ensure that their staff receive training in learning disability and autism, including how to interact appropriately with autistic people and people with a learning disability. This should be at a level appropriate to their role.  

We have been actively working with Higher Education Institutions who are keen to ensure their students and trainees receive Oliver's Training. We are receiving positive engagement on the programme from other health and care services not regulated by the CQC to ensure this important culture change happens to address the health inequalities people with a learning disability and autistic people face.

Employers using The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism can have the confidence that this training is recognised by national bodies advising on standards for the sector.