Understanding Oliver McGowan Training

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What is Oliver McGowan Training?

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is a specialised training programme focused on Learning Disability and Autism. The training is named after Oliver McGowan. Oliver was a young man whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better skills, knowledge and understanding of the needs for autistic people and people with a learning disability. 

Oliver was admitted to hospital with seizures. Oliver did not have a mental illness or psychosis, but he was given antipsychotic medication against his and his family's wishes. Oliver was intolerant to this medication and died. An independent Learning Disability Mortality Review of his death identified it was potentially avoidable.  Olivers mother, Paula McGowan (OBE), campaigned for better understanding and training for the health and social care workforce, this resulted in funding being made available in 2021 where three training partners developed and trialled their training packages across health and social care. The training drew on existing best practice, the expertise of people with a learning disability, autistic people and family carers as well as subject matter experts 

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI) conducted an independent evaluation to understand what worked well. 

In response to this, the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) developed this training to improve understanding and care for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. 

The training aims to equip health and social care staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality and person-centred care for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. It is designed to align with the learning outcomes set out in the DHSC document "Right to be Heard" (2019) and the Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting People with a Learning Disability and Supporting Autistic People. 

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 18 has been updated by CQC to say: "Providers must ensure that all staff receive training in how to interact appropriately with people with a learning disability and autistic people, at a level appropriate to their role. The Health and Care Act 2022 mandates regulated service providers to ensure their staff receive appropriate learning disability and autism training, making the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training a vital resource. Whilst the Health and Social Care Act 2022 does not name The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training it will be for regulated providers to evidence compliance with the standards set out in the training and the Secretary of State issued guidance if they have sourced alternative training.  Providers will be required to evidence compliance with this statement in relation to the competency of the workforce.  Compliance will apply to any regulated service, not just those who actively work with people with a learning disability and autistic people, who may themselves need much more extensive training to meet individuals needs. At this moment compliance does not apply to Ofsted registered providers or social care staff working in unregulated services. However, it is good practice to ensure these staff are appropriately trained. 

Key features of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training include:

Comprehensive Content: The training covers a wide range of topics, including understanding learning disabilities and autism, effective communication strategies, promoting independence, person-centred care, and addressing specific needs and challenges. 

Government's Preferred Training: The training is the preferred and recommended option by the UK government for health and social care staff to meet the requirements of the Health and Care Act 2022. This act introduced a mandate for regulated service providers to ensure their staff receive appropriate learning disability and autism training. 

Trainers with Lived Experience: The training aims to ensure the provision of trainers who have lived experience with learning disabilities and autism. This approach allows for a more empathetic and informed training experience. 

Enhanced Care Quality: By completing the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, healthcare professionals and caregivers can improve their abilities to provide person-centred care, enhance communication, and better support the needs of individuals with learning disabilities and autism. 

The training is crucial for meeting the evolving needs and expectations of healthcare and social care services. It empowers professionals to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with learning disabilities and autism, ultimately promoting better health outcomes and overall well-being. 

What is Dynamic Training doing about this?

As a preferred provider in the healthcare and social care sector, we wanted to ensure that we were ready for the mandatory training requirements. As such, we have supported targeted delivery staff to be accredited to deliver the Oliver McGowan training and are also planning and progressing our delivery staff of apprenticeship programs within the healthcare and social care sector to go through the training themselves. 

Dynamic Training will be offering The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism Tier 2 to our client base, starting from September 2023. To ensure we are effectively resourced and prepared for the demand, we are conducting a market research and demand exercise to identify potential interest and uptake of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. If you work within the sector, we invite you to complete the survey yourself by clicking the below link 

Survey Link:https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/OliverMcGowan

Why are we offering this?

Dynamic training prides itself on learning to be instinctively inclusive. We have been an advocate of promoting inclusive practice and accessibility. We are a disability confident employer and member of the British association for supported employment (BASE) our own staff represent the diversity of our communities. We a passionate about sharing lived experience and making a positive impact through training.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism Tier 2 represents a significant step forward in improving healthcare services for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. By equipping healthcare professionals with the right knowledge and skills, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring positive health and social care interactions. Together, let's strive to create a world where every individual is treated with respect, understanding, and compassion. 

Next Steps

Find out more about the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism Tier 2, via:

• Our website here for more information on our offer, delivery content and model.

• A video produced by the NHS on The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism - Click here 

• Or contact the Dynamic Training team to discuss find out more, or discuss programme implementation Tel: 0208 6077850, Email: hello@dynamictraining.org.uk, or complete out Online Enquiry form: Click here