We are approved and established providers of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. We can help you ensure that your staff meet the Health and Care Act 2022 legal requirements for health and care workers.
For Business
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is named after Oliver McGowan whose tragic avoidable death highlighted the need for health and social care staff to receive better training to understand the needs of autistic people and those with learning disabilities.
In July 2022 the government introduced a mandatory requirement for CQC registered service providers to ensure their employees receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. This is now a requirement set out in the Health and Care Act 2022.
Oliver McGowan
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the government’s preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff.
All sessions are co-delivered by autistic trainers and trainers with a learning disability, who are paid for their lived-experience contributions. All our autistic trainers and trainers with a learning disability receive training to deliver the sessions and on-going pastoral support to share their lived experiences.
Using co-trainers with lived experience ensures authentic, relatable learning and fosters genuine empathy in professional practice.
Disability Together provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 training. The training is interactive and delivered by a training trio consisting of a person with a learning disability, an autistic person and a facilitator.
Whether you need to undertake Tier 1 or 2 is dependent on your role.
Tier 1 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is for people who require general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need.Â
Presented by:Â
A facilitating trainer, a co-trainer with lived experience of a learning disability and a co-trainer with lived experience of Autism.Â
1 Hour – Live Webinar + eLearning Module
30 attendees (max)
60 mins (morning or afternoon sessions available)
Webinar can be attended from anywhere in the UK
Suitable for:Â
Those who require a general awareness of people with a learning disability and autistic people, and the support they may need.
Tier 2 of The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability.Â
Presented by:Â
A facilitating trainer, a co-trainer with lived experience of a learning disability and a co-trainer with lived experience of Autism.Â
1 Day Face-to-Face Seminar + eLearning Module
30 attendees (max)
9.30am until 4.00pm
Available within Devon
Suitable for:Â
Those who are responsible for providing care and support to autistic individuals or those with learning disabilities. It is essential for anyone who may need to offer services or make decisions regarding the care of these individuals.
Everyone is required to complete the e-learning. This is regardless of the tier to be completed. E-learning is available at NHSE elfh Hub. It is a requirement to complete this as well as the online or face-to-face training elements of either Tier 1 or Tier 2.
We are the only recommended provider approved by NHS Devon ICB for delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism in Devon.
At Disability Together, Disabled people are at the heart of all we do. That’s why we know that this training can and will change lives. And it’s why we’re proud of the numbers of delegates we’ve trained so far.
We are a user-led organisation, and our team are committed to making a difference to the lives of Disabled people. Our experienced training team includes:
Business Services Manager
Business Services Supervisor
Business Services Training Coordinator
Business Services Administrator
Our experts with lived-experience are at the very heart of this training. At Disability Together we ensure that our experts feel confident, welcomed and valued for the experiences they share. It’s why we provide ongoing pastoral support and always make sure our co-trainers are paid fairly (at rates equivalent to NHS Band 5).
Our experts bring knowledge, passion and their own very personal lived-experience to every session. We are so proud to have them as part of the team.
We deliver Oliver McGowan training to NHS providers and commercial healthcare organisations across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Â Â Â
Yes, we do. Our open course spaces are a flexible option for organisations or are ideal if you only need to book a small number of places. Open courses can be useful if you need to stagger the times that members of your team will be away attending training. Contact us for our next open course dates and locations. Â
Yes, we do. Contact us more information. If you are thinking of delivering in-house training we can advise you on the requirements and support required for the pastoral care of experts by experience. This is a key consideration that needs to be taken into account if you are thinking of delivering Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in-house. Â
The code of practice was finalised in June 2025 setting out the standards for delivery. The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice explains how providers can meet the legal requirement for learning disability and autism training going forward.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has been co-developed with people with a learning disability and autistic people. It is named after Oliver McGowan whose tragic avoidable death highlighted the need for health and social care staff to receive better training.
Fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.