What is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism?

Enabling the health and social care workforce to better support people with a learning disability and autistic people, the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has been co-produced, trialled, and independently evaluated, and will be co-delivered by trainers with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism.

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

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the standardised training that was developed for this purpose and is the government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff to undertake.  It is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better training. It is the only training with permission to include Paula McGowan OBE, telling Oliver’s story and explaining why the training is taking place.

An e-learning package is the first part of both Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and is now live. Everyone will need to do the e-learning no matter where they work and what tier they need to complete. The next part is either a live one hour online interactive session for those needing Tier 1, or, a 1-day face to face training for people who require Tier 2.

Hertfordshire and West Essex Training Roll out?

Hertfordshire Care Providers Association has been asked to support the Hertfordshire and West Essex Health and Care System roll out the Oliver McGowan Mandatory training. HCPA already have an established training team who all have experience working in care. HCPA will now be looking to bring in experts with lived experience as co-trainers to support the roll out of online Tier 1 sessions, face to face Tier 2 sessions at their base in Welwyn Garden City and throughout Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB and Train the Trainer sessions for trainers in the system.

Who are Hertfordshire Care Providers Association (HCPA)?

HCPAs vision is to create a county where all adults who receive care are given a service of true quality, which is both personalised and individually tailored to their needs.

At HCPA everything is centred on helping Hertfordshire adult care providers to raise their standards of quality by offering low cost or fully funded: training, network events, study days, business services, advice, and tailored support.

HCPA has a training centre based in Welwyn Garden City and delivers training here and throughout the county. We have a team of trainers who have worked across a range of care settings, giving them knowledge and understanding to support care companies, as well as having advanced training skills.

HCPA will be delivering the Oliver McGowan training for Hertfordshire and West Essex Health and Social care providers supporting trainers and expert with lived experience co-trainers as well as managing all administration.

Useful links:

• Health Education Oliver McGowan Training Page
• Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB
• Oliver McGowan FAQs