Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
Develop your knowledge for inclusive, person-centred care
Important training for all health and social care services and staff
The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a legal requirement for all registered health and social care providers with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) to ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism. This requirement applies to:
All services and settings, not only specialist services
All staff, including administrative and ancillary roles who may have contact with autistic people or people with a learning disability
The aim is to ensure staff understand how to interact appropriately, respectfully, and safely with autistic people and people with a learning disability. The CQC outlines what providers must do in their guide.
Complete your Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in two steps
Part 1
All staff must complete the 90 minute elearning course before undertaking the relevant part 2 of the training. You will need to sign-in first to elearning for healthcare.
This can be accessed for free and includes a handbook. A certificate is issued on completion.
Part 2
All staff must complete either Tier 1 OR Tier 2.
Tier 1 is a 1 hour online interactive webinar. This is for people who require general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need.
Tier 2 is a 1 day face-to-face training session. This is for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability.
Your local offer in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
At the Nottinghamshire Alliance Training Hub (NATH), we are working with system partners to:
Coordinate local delivery of OMMT
Support practices in meeting statutory requirements
Provide access to approved training providers
Our top tips for practices
Ensure all staff are allocated the correct tier
Keep records of completion for CQC compliance
Plan training across your workforce (stagger attendance if needed)
Prioritise patient-facing roles for Tier 2
Why this training matters
People with a learning disability and autistic people experience significant health inequalities and often poorer outcomes. Training helps ensure staff can:
Provide safe, compassionate and person-centred care
Make reasonable adjustments
Improve communication and understanding
Reduce avoidable harm and health inequalities
Who needs to complete the training?
This training is mandatory for all Primary Care staff, including:
Clinical staff (GPs, Nurses, AHPs)
Non-clinical staff (Receptionists, Admin, Estates)
ARRS roles and wider practice teams
The level of training depends on your role.
New film explaining The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
NHS England, with partners, has shared a powerful new animation about The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
The animation has been co-designed and co-produced with autistic people and people with a learning disability. It is aimed at helping staff and employers across health and social care to understand Oliver’s Training and why it is so vitally important.
The Code of Practice (from 6 September 2025)
The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice provides further clarity for implementing the law. All health and social care staff must receive training that meets its four national standards.
Standard 1 – Minimum curriculum
Training must cover capabilities outlined in the:
Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting People with a Learning Disability
Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting Autistic People
Standard 2 – Applying learning in practice
Training must help staff understand how to apply learning directly to their work.
Standard 3 – Co‑produced training
Training must include live and interactive elements, co-produced and co-delivered by autistic people and people with a learning disability.
Standard 4 – Evidence‑based and quality assured
Training must be based on evidence and undergo evaluation and accreditation, with meaningful involvement from autistic people and people with a learning disability in these processes.
Access Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training resources
NHS England have provided a comprehensive resources site for you to use. This includes:
Overview of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and why it matters for health and care staff
FAQs and guidance to help understand the training and requirements
Employer resources to support rollout across services
Links to approved training providers and trainers
Communication packs to share information with teams and networks
Background on the training and the national policy context
News, updates and events
