The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism – Tier 2

For professionals providing direct care and support, basic awareness alone is not enough. Staff must have the confidence, understanding, and practical skills required to deliver safe, compassionate, and person-centred care to autistic individuals and people with learning disabilities. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Tier 2 is the nationally recognised standard for health and social care staff who hold direct care, clinical, care-planning, or decision-making responsibilities.

Developed in line with the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, the Health and Care Act, and CQC expectations, this immersive, full-day face-to-face training programme moves beyond theory and focuses on real-world application within health and social care settings. The course empowers staff to reduce health inequalities, improve communication, make meaningful reasonable adjustments, and deliver care that upholds dignity, rights, and inclusion.

This highly interactive training is delivered using the approved “training trio” model, consisting of a Facilitating Trainer alongside two co-trainers with lived experience — one autistic individual and one individual with a learning disability. This unique co-produced approach creates a safe and engaging learning environment where participants can ask questions, challenge assumptions, explore real-life experiences, and develop a deeper understanding of the barriers many individuals face when accessing care and support.

By the end of the training, learners will feel more confident in adapting their practice, improving outcomes, and supporting individuals in ways that are respectful and person-centred.

Who This Course Is For

Tier 2 training is designed for health and social care professionals who provide direct care, treatment, intervention, or support, as well as those involved in care planning or decision-making processes.

This includes:

• Care Workers and Support Workers
• Healthcare Assistants
• Registered Nurses and Clinical Staff
• Social Workers and Care Coordinators
• Registered Managers, Team Leaders, and Supervisors
• Doctors, Therapists, and Allied Health Professionals
• Staff working within education, community, residential, supported living, or healthcare settings

Key Learning Outcomes

By enrolling your team in this course, they will explore how to:

Develop Inclusive Communication Skills

Build practical communication strategies, including understanding alternative and augmentative communication approaches, to ensure individuals are listened to, understood, and involved in decisions about their care.

Reduce Diagnostic Overshadowing

Recognise how physical and mental health concerns can be overlooked or misattributed, helping staff provide safer and more responsive support.

Understand Sensory Needs and Environmental Adaptations

Identify sensory differences and learn how adjustments to environments, communication styles, and routines can reduce distress and improve wellbeing.

Promote Human Rights and Legal Compliance

Develop a stronger understanding of key legal frameworks, including the Mental Capacity Act, equality legislation, reasonable adjustments, and the principles outlined within the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice.

Deliver Person-Centred and Proactive Support

Learn how to provide support that is strengths-based, co-produced, and focused on improving quality of life and reducing barriers to care.

Reflect on Lived Experience

Gain invaluable insight directly from trainers with lived experience, helping learners better understand the realities faced by autistic individuals and people with learning disabilities within health and social care systems.

Flexible Delivery to Suit Your Organisation

This training is delivered as a highly interactive face-to-face training day designed to maximise engagement, discussion, and reflective learning.

Face-to-Face Delivery

Delivered over 1 full training day using the official Oliver McGowan training framework and approved co-delivery model. Sessions include interactive activities, reflective discussions, scenario-based learning, and practical application to real-world care environments.

Across the day, training is co-delivered by:

• A Facilitating Trainer throughout the day
• A Co-Trainer with a learning disability for the first, learning disability session
• An autistic Co-Trainer for the second, autism session

Important Prerequisite

To successfully achieve their Tier 2 certificate, all learners must complete the free 90-minute Oliver McGowan e-learning module (Tier 2 Part 1) via the NHS England eLearning for Healthcare (ELFH) platform prior to attending the live training session.

Important Details

Nationally Recognised Training

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and standardised training programme for learning disability and autism across health and social care settings in England and is delivered in accordance with the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice.

Regulatory Alignment

This training supports organisations in meeting the expectations outlined within the Health and Care Act, the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, and CQC guidance relating to learning disability and autism training.

Certification

Learners receive official certification upon successful completion of both the online learning and face-to-face training components.