News, updates and events

News, events and updates

December

04/12/2024

Oliver McGowan ICS Team Wins Big at Great British Care Awards

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism team from the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR) Integrated Care System celebrated success at the Great British Care Awards, earning Highly Commended in the Workforce Development category and winning the Co-production Award.

The training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose tragic death highlighted the urgent need for learning disability and autism training in health and care. The awards recognised the team’s outstanding efforts in delivering Oliver’s Training to thousands of NHS and social care staff in their area, enabling them to provide appropriately adjusted care for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The team has also created several employment opportunities for autistic people and people with a learning disability, who play a key role in delivering the training. The achievements reflect the team's hard work, commitment, and passion, setting a benchmark for excellence in workforce development and co-production.

        Oliver’s parents, Paula McGowan OBE and Thomas McGowan, expressed gratitude:

"This recognition is impressive, and we could not be more grateful for the team in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland for all their efforts. Oliver’s legacy is saving lives, and we are deeply grateful. We are incredibly proud of the tireless efforts of all teams across England to reduce health inequalities and transform health and care through Oliver’s Training.”

Charlotte Dickens, Programme Manager at Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland ICB, said:

“I am incredibly proud of our team, especially for our fantastic trainers who are an integral part of the team and are key to raising awareness and increasing knowledge of Learning Disability and Autism across the whole system.”

 

October

15/10/2024

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism Teams Wins Prestigious NHS Parliamentary Awards

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism team across England has jointly won The Excellence in Education and Training Award at the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024. This landmark achievement recognises the hundreds of teams nationwide and their dedication to transforming care for people with a learning disability and autistic people.

Named after Oliver McGowan, whose tragic death shone a light for the urgent need for learning disability and autism training in health and care, Oliver’s Training has already upskilled millions of NHS staff to provide appropriately adjusted care for people with a learning disability and autistic people. It has also offered employment opportunities for autistic people and people with a learning disability who deliver Oliver’s Training.

Claire Carr, WT&E Programme Manager for Oliver’s Training said:

“It was a privilege to represent The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training programme, along with Alan Morrison and Shaun Armour, two of our experts with lived experience, at the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024.

“We were delighted to accept the award on behalf of the thousands of people across the NHS and social care who have played a part in developing, designing and delivering Oliver’s Training.” 

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, who nominated The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training team, shared her pride in their achievement:

“I am absolutely thrilled that The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training teams across England have been recognised with this prestigious award. Their tireless work has already transformed the way the health and care workforce support people with learning disability and autistic people.

“This training honours Oliver's legacy and the countless numbers of autistic people and people with a learning disability who have persistently faced health inequalities, some like Oliver, tragically dying before their time. Oliver’s Training creates employment opportunities and ensures that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive the compassionate, adjusted care and support they deserve.

“I am proud to have played a part in championing this vital training, which is changing lives and improving health and care across the country."

The award, announced at the NHS Parliamentary Awards ceremony on 14 October, is a profound recognition of the team’s impact in reducing health inequalities in health and care.

Paula McGowan OBE and Thomas McGowan, Oliver's parents, shared their overwhelming gratitude:

"This recognition means the world to everyone who has been part of this journey since 2016. Oliver’s legacy is saving lives, and we are deeply grateful. We are incredibly proud of the tireless efforts of teams across England to reduce health inequalities and transform health and care through Oliver’s Training.

“This award honours their dedication and the collaboration between health and care professionals, autistic people and a people with a learning disability to create compassionate and inclusive care and support across England."

September

24/09/2024

National award shortlist for teams delivering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism across England 

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism team across England, which includes people with a learning disability and autistic people, has made the national shortlist for The Excellence in Education and Training Award at the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024.  

Nominated by Dame Caroline Dinenage, South East MP, the team’s work has upskilled millions of NHS staff, ensuring they can provide appropriately adjusted care for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose tragic death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better training.  

The NHS Parliamentary Awards, established in 2018, celebrates the dedication and achievements of staff, volunteers, and others working in the health and care sector. In the initial stage, MPs nominate healthcare teams and individuals to recognise their exceptional contributions to the NHS.  The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 14 October. 

June 

25/06/2024

Winner announced for The Oliver McGowan Trainer Award 

Congratulations to Emma, Daniel and Adam at NHS Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System for winning The Oliver McGowan Trainer Award at The National Learning Disability and Autism Award.  To find out more, read the full story.

21/06/2024

Changing Hearts and Minds at NHS ConfedExpo with Oliver’s Training 

NHS Confed Expo featured a pivotal session on The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. This session, part of the health inequalities improvement theatre, highlighted how ICSs are successfully rolling out this crucial training to help address the health disparities, preventable deaths, and reduced life expectancy that people with a learning disability and autistic people often face.  

To find out more, read our the session summary.

May 2024

10/05/2024

FAQs updated including local examples of how employers are rolling out Oliver's Training.

09/05/2024

New resource: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training champion employer communication pack

NHS England has shared a new resource with employers and integrated care systems to help them raise awareness of Oliver’s Training to staff who need to complete it and members of the public who are asking about the progress made  to meet the statutory requirement in the Health and Care Act 2022. The champion employer communication pack is now available and includes downloadable assets, including, social media cards, email signatures, guidance on language and much more. 

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust are great examples of how employers have utilised existing communication assets to champion Oliver's Training. Their 'meet our expert with lived experience co-trainers' video collection has introduced their Oliver McGowan expert with lived experience co-trainers to staff and the public. This has helped them increase raise awareness of Oliver's Training internally and engaged with stakeholders and members of the public on social media. 

April 2024

25/04/2024

The recording is now available for the all stakeholder webinar about The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training held on 27 March 2024. 

British Sign Language versions are also available, you can watch part 1 and part 2.

02/04/2024

To mark Autism Acceptance Week, we highlight the work we deliver every week to ensure autistic people experience excellent care and support. In a recent interview with Lauren Saunders-Love, an autistic co-trainer for Oliver's Training, we understand her experience and the reasonable adjustments her employers made so she can contribute towards changing the culture in health and care for people with a learning disability and autistic people. You can read Lauren's full story here. 

March 2024

15/03/2024

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: Co-producing Tier 2 video case studies with a lived experience artists

We've launched a sneak peek trailer showcasing the video case studies included in Tier 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. Co-produced with Access All Areas, Skills for Care, and other partners, Oliver’s Training includes a diverse range of videos which are tailored for health and social care staff.

To find out more about how we worked with Access All Areas, you can read an interview from Lee Philips, autistic artist and Terry Huggett, artist with a learning disability and cerebral palsy.

12/03/2024

Invite to join all stakeholder webinar: Updates on The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

On Wednesday 27 March 10am-12pm, NHS England will be hosting an online stakeholder webinar about the progress of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

The webinar is aimed at anyone with an interest in Oliver’s Training or involved in rolling it out across England to health and social care staff. The session will provide key updates from NHS England, DHSC, and Paula McGowan and will include items on: 

• Rollout  
• Accreditation  
• Code of Practice  
• Oliver’s Campaign from Paula McGowan OBE  

If you would like to join, register your interest online. 

06/03/2024

North West Yorkshire champions The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training

Senior leaders from across health and care continue to voice their support for Oliver's Training. Recent support has come from Rob Webster CBE, Chief Executive Officer at North West Yorkshire ICS. Rob strongly supports Oliver’s Training and shared as a parent of someone with a learning disability this is incredibly important to him.

February 2024

28/02/2024

FAQs updated.

13/02/2024

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust championing The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training

Senior leaders continue to champion and raise awareness of Oliver’s Training across their systems so that together we can change the culture to save the lives of autistic people and people with a learning disability. Recent support has come from Professor Joe Rafferty, Chief Executive at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Rafferty said:

“The healthcare system can't afford not to make this culture change, and we're determined to play our part in it. That's not just because it's the law. It's also because it's our duty.”

To find out more, watch all the champion videos.

12/02/2024

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training webinar: Recruiting people with a learning disability and autistic people

On 31 January, NHS England co-delivered and co-produced a webinar to share best practice in recruiting and involving experts with lived experience into the co-trainer role for Oliver's Training. To watch the recording and access the webinar resources, visit the employer resource webpage.

January 2024

24/01/2024

Senior leaders across health and care continue to champion and voice their support for Oliver's Training

Recent support has come from Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer at NHS England, who has recently completed The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism with the NHS England Board, who encourages everyone in the NHS to complete Oliver's Training. To find out more visit, the champion webpage and Oliver's Training webpage.

December 2023

19/12/2023

Procurement opportunity: To accredit the delivery of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

NHS England is seeking an organisation to accredit the delivery of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. This new procurement opportunity across England is now live.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended training to meet the Health and Care Act 2022 statutory learning disability and autism training requirement and is key to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan ambition.

To find out more, visit Contracts Finder or Atamis. 

November 2023

17/11/2023

FAQs updated with easy read versions.

10/11/2023

1 million people complete part 1 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism  

Over 1 million people have completed The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism’s e-learning in the year since it was launched.  

The e-learning is the first part of Oliver’s training and prepares staff for a second part that involves meeting and learning directly from people with a learning disability and autistic people.  

To find out more, read the press notice. 

October 2023

25/10/2023

New training providers for Tier 1 and Tier 2 trainer training across England until 2025

NHS England is pleased to announce the National Autistic Society and Gloucester Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust will be the new training providers who deliver further cohorts of Tier 1 and Tier 2 trainer training across England for The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism until 2025. 

As a result, there will be even more trainers to cascade the trainer training and increase the number of approved trainers delivering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training to health and social care staff. 

Gloucester Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust will work in partnership with Inclusion Gloucestershire to deliver the Tier 1 trainer training and the National Autistic Society will work in partnership with The Estia Centre to deliver the Tier 2 trainer training. Details of training course dates and how to book will be circulated soon. 

In the meantime, employers interested in booking this training should contact their local system or regional lead. 

16/10/2023

The government has now closed the consultation on the draft Oliver McGowan Code of Practice. The consultation feedback is now being anaylsed. For more information and updates, visit the gov.uk Oliver McGowan code of practice consultation webpage.

September 2023

05/09/2023

The easy read versions of the Oliver McGowan code of practice went live on 4 September 2023 live. The easy read consultation will be open for 6 weeks, closing on 16 October 2023, whilst the main consultation will close as planned on 19 September 2023.

August 2023

22/08/2023

Senior leaders from across health and care continue to voice their support for Oliver's Training. Recent support has come from Helen Ray, Chief Executive Officer at North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and Chris Oliver, Chief Executive Officer at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. You can access the champion page or watch all of the champion videos on YouTube.

18/08/2023

On 7 August 2023, NHS England hosted a celebration event for colleagues and stakeholders across England. The event celebrated and recognised Oliver's Training rollout progress, focusing on the 'nothing about us, without us' co-production values and ensuring its future success. To catch up, visit the event webpage.

17/08/2023

South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board share how they are rolling out The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism in their area in a recent interview. To find out more, read Oliver's Training in South Yorkshire case study.

04/08/2023

A new procurement opportunity to support trainer training for The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism rollout across England is now live. To find out more, visit Contracts Finder or Find A Tender webpages. 

June 2023

30/6/2023

NHS England has launched a new animation about The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, aimed at helping staff and employers across health and social care to understand Oliver’s Training and why it is so vitally important.

May 2023

31/5/2023

Updates were made to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism FAQs.

23/5/2023

NHS England are looking to engage potential suppliers who could support training delivery for the Oliver McGowan mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism and a Prior Information Notice (PIN) has been published.

Two market engagements events will take place on 7 June and 14 June to discuss the plans and consult with parties interested in potentially bidding to lead the design, development and delivery of an accreditation process for The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. To find out more, visit gov.uk contract finder webpage.

22/5/2023

The research opportunity for the longitudinal evaluation of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is now being pre-advertised on the NIHR website - Policy Research Programme - An Evaluation of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. There will be a webinar to support the specification so prospective researchers can ask us any questions and we can talk them through the specification. This will be held on 19^th June, run by NIHR and DHSC policy and analyst colleagues, and is open to any interested researchers.

5/5/2023

Meet the North West Tier 1 Trainers in recent interview piece.

March 2023 

As part of Autism Acceptance Week 2023, we launched the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism champion videos. Senior leaders from across health and care voiced their support for Oliver's training. You can access the champion page or watch all of the champion videos on YouTube.

2022

Mark Radford writes an article for the Health Care Journal: 'Hope from tragedy: time to prioritise those with learning disability and autism.' Click here to read the article.

The Nursing Times release an article: 'Q&A: Everything you need to know about new Oliver McGowan training.' Click here to read the article.

At our trials celebration event we head from experts with lived experience who co-developed and co-delivered the elearning.

Blogs

Paula McGowan OBE speaks about her son Oliver and the first part of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training going live. Read the blog by clicking here.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism has positive impact on staff, study reveals. Read the blog by clicking here.

Social media

For further updates and to join in the online conversation, please use #OliversCampaign on Twitter.