Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for your whole care team
The government's preferred and recommended training package on learning disability and autism — co-delivered with trainers with lived experience, with the certificates and records your CQC evidence needs.
- LDSS funding for eligible employers*
- Tier 1: 1-hour live online
- Tier 2: full-day face-to-face
- Up to 30 delegates
- Certificates provided
Is this training mandatory?
Under the Health and Care Act 2022, CQC-registered service providers must ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their role. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government's preferred and recommended training package for meeting this requirement, and the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice — which became final on 6 September 2025 — sets the standards that any training used to meet the duty should follow.
CQC takes the Code of Practice into account when looking at staff training under Regulation 18, so the practical question for most services is simple: can you show every member of staff has completed training that meets the standards, at the right tier for their role?
Tier 1 or Tier 2 — which does your team need?
For staff who provide direct care and support
Front-line care teams, senior carers and registered managers. A full-day, face-to-face interactive workshop, co-delivered by a facilitator and trainers with lived experience.
- Prerequisite: Part 1 elfh e-learning
- Full day · face-to-face · up to 30 delegates
- Certificates issued on completion
For staff who do not provide direct care
Administrative teams, schedulers, finance and payroll staff who need general awareness of learning disability and autism.
- Prerequisite: Part 1 elfh e-learning
- 1 hour · live online interactive session
- Certificates issued on completion
Rule of thumb from government guidance: anyone whose role involves contact with the people you support should do Tier 2. In domiciliary care agencies asked to provide support at short notice, that usually means all staff with public contact. If you're unsure, send us your staff list and we'll help you map roles to tiers.
How the training works
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Part 1 e-learning
Every delegate completes the free elfh e-learning module (at least 90 minutes) before their practical session.
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Part 2 practical session
A 1-hour live online interactive session (Tier 1) or a full-day face-to-face workshop (Tier 2), co-delivered with trainers with lived experience.
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Certificates & records
Certificates of completion are issued, with attendance records to keep your training folder audit-ready.
Co-delivered with trainers with lived experience
Co-delivery is the defining feature of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: practical sessions are delivered by a trained facilitator together with co-trainers with lived experience of autism or a learning disability, who are paid for their expertise. It is what makes the training land — staff hear directly from the people their practice affects.
Only trainers who have completed the official train-the-trainer programme and appear on the NHS England approved trainer list may deliver Oliver's Training. Ask us about our delivery team and approval status when you enquire — we're happy to walk you through it.
Oliver McGowan LDSS funding
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is fully funded for eligible employers through the LDSS/Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, subject to eligibility. Funding is limited and available only while funds last; availability is not guaranteed.* Call us on 07872 018267 to check eligibility and availability for your team.
*For further information about Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, please contact us. We'll talk you through the eligibility requirements, available funding and next steps. Funding is limited and available only while funds last; availability is not guaranteed. See funding details.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training legally required?
The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement that CQC-registered service providers ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their role. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government's preferred and recommended package for meeting this requirement, and the Code of Practice became final on 6 September 2025.
How do delegates complete the Part 1 e-learning?
Part 1 is a free e-learning module of at least 90 minutes on the NHS e-Learning for Healthcare (elfh) platform. Every delegate must complete it before attending their practical session. Our administrators check prerequisites when confirming your booking roster.
Which tier do my staff need?
Tier 1 is for staff who need general awareness but do not provide direct care or support. Tier 2 is for staff who provide direct care and support — in most services that is the large majority of the team, including registered managers. Send us your staff list if you would like help mapping roles.
How often should the training be refreshed?
The Code of Practice expects learning disability and autism training to be refreshed at least every 3 years, or more regularly if a member of staff requires it.
May LDSS funding cover this course?
Yes — for eligible employers. Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is fully funded for eligible employers through the LDSS/Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme, subject to eligibility. Funding is limited and available only while funds last; availability is not guaranteed. For further information about Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, please contact us. We'll talk you through the eligibility requirements, available funding and next steps. Call us on 07872 018267 or send an enquiry.
Ready to arrange training for your team?
Send an enquiry and we will reply within one working day with dates, delivery options and a tailored quote for your team.