Since July 2022, all CQC-registered providers have been required to ensure that staff receive learning disability and autism (LD&A) training. This applies across all regulated settings, not just those delivering specialist services for people with learning disabilities and autism.
More recently, this requirement has been strengthened through the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice and new LD&A content within the updated Care Certificate standards.
Who was Oliver McGowan?
Oliver McGowan was a young man with a learning disability and autism who died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family’s wishes. Oliver’s death highlighted the urgent need for all health and social care staff to receive better training on learning disabilities and autism.
Following a public inquiry and extensive campaigning by Oliver’s family, the government introduced the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism as a statutory requirement for all CQC-registered providers.
What is Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is a standardised training programme delivered in two tiers:
- Tier 1 — an online e-learning programme for all health and social care staff. It covers the basics of learning disabilities and autism and lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
- Tier 2 — a face-to-face training day for staff who provide direct care and support to people with learning disabilities and/or autism. It is co-produced and co-delivered by people with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism.
When must training be completed?
All new staff must complete the appropriate tier of training as part of their induction. Existing staff must also complete the training, with a phased rollout that began in 2022. CQC will assess compliance with this requirement during inspections.
Changes to the Care Certificate
In March 2025, the Care Certificate was updated to include new content on learning disabilities and autism as Standard 9 (Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disability). All new care workers must complete the updated Care Certificate as part of their induction.
What about Ofsted-regulated providers?
While Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is not a statutory requirement for Ofsted-regulated providers such as children’s homes and supported accommodation services, Ofsted has stated that it is the government’s preferred approach and offers a clear way to evidence good practice.
For Ofsted-regulated services, LD&A training is increasingly important as many looked-after children and care leavers have learning disabilities and/or autism. Inspectors will look for evidence that staff understand and can effectively support young people with these needs.
How ClouDoc supports providers
At ClouDoc, we provide a range of policies and procedures to support your service in meeting its training obligations around learning disabilities and autism, including:
- Learning Disability and Autism Policy
- Staff Training Policy
- Training Needs Analysis template
- Training Log template
All our documents are regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation and best practice guidance. For more information, call ClouDoc on 0330 808 0050 or email support@caredaily.co.uk.
