Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
At Ashfield Services, we are proud to be working in partnership with approved Oliver McGowan Facilitators and Experts by Lived Experience across the country to offer Tier 1 and Tier 2 Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training (OMMT) on Learning Disability and Autism, the government’s standardised and recommended training package for all health and social care staff.
Why This Training Matters
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training was created in honour of Oliver McGowan, a much-loved young man whose life was sadly cut short due to a lack of understanding around his needs. His story has inspired a national commitment to do better.
This training helps ensure staff feel informed, confident, and supported in delivering compassionate, respectful care to autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities. It’s a vital step towards creating a more inclusive, person-centred approach across all services.
It was mandated by the Health and Care Act 2022, which requires CQC‑registered service providers to ensure their staff receive training appropriate to their role.
Who is this Training For?
Tier 1:
Staff needing general awareness of the needs of autistic people and people with learning disabilities
Tier 2:
Staff with direct care responsibilities or who may need to make reasonable adjustments or use frameworks like the Mental Capacity Act, DNACPR, hospital passports, and co-morbidity considerations
Employers should consult the Tier Guidance to determine which level is appropriate for staff roles
Training Structure and Delivery
All participants begin with the e‑learning module (90 minutes), which forms part one for both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Tier 1
1‑hour live online interactive session, suitable for those with general awareness needs
Tier 2
1‑day in person workshop, ideal for staff involved in direct care and support
Quality & Compliance
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is co-delivered by experienced trainers, including autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities who bring essential lived experience. All co-trainers are approved and fairly remunerated for their time, knowledge, & contribution.
The content is fully aligned with the Core Capabilities Frameworks for supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities, ensuring a consistent, evidence-based approach to care.
This training has been independently evaluated through national trials and is backed by NHS England as the recommended route for meeting statutory requirements under the Health and Care Act. It also supports compliance with the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, published in June 2025.
At present, NHS England does not operate a formal quality assurance framework for organisations delivering the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. In response, Ashfield Services has included the delivery of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training into our internal quality assurance process to ensure consistently high standards of delivery. This includes regular peer review of trainers, systematic review of learner feedback, and ongoing support and development for our Lived Experience Experts and Facilitators. All quality assurance activity is overseen by the Co-Heads of Clinical & Quality Assurance at Ashfield Services, ensuring governance, accountability, and continuous improvement across our Oliver McGowan training provision.
Certification and Refresher Requirements
Health and Social Care Professionals are expected to refresh the training at least every three years, or more frequently when required.
Ideal practice is to complete Part 1 and Part 2 within a few days, but completion can occur within six months, with a quick refresh of the e‑learning if necessary.
What Ashfield Services Offers
Full delivery of both Tier 1 online sessions and Tier 2 face-to-face workshops, led by approved trainers including co‑trainers with lived experience.
Support with booking, scheduling, and access to the official e‑learning used in NHS England programmes.
Guidance on CQC compliance, staff tier assignment, and evaluation.
Next Steps and How to Book
Ready to ensure your team fulfills this statutory requirement? Get in touch with Ashfield Services to:
Book a Tier 1 or Tier 2 session
Discuss tailored delivery on‑site
Clarify which staff roles require which Tier
Let us help you embed compassionate, informed care and meet all legally mandated training obligations.
Oliver McGowan Training FAQs
The e-learning takes around an hour and a half. Tier 1 webinar is 1 hour. Tier 2 face to face training is two half day sessions, most often delivered as one full day of training. The learning disability session must always be delivered first.
Anyone working in health and care settings regulated by CQC is required by law to have this level of training.
It would also be useful for anyone working with autistic people or people with a learning disability but not providing regulated services. For example, charity shop managers will often have volunteers with a variety of conditions, but do not receive training to understand this.
Both Tiers start with the e-learning, this is required for all attendees.
Tier 1 is a one hour online training aimed at people not providing direct care, but working in organisations that do. It is to build understanding and awareness.
Tier 2 is two half day sessions, face to face and goes into a lot more depth. It is aimed at people who offer care and support, or who make decisions about services.
The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a requirement that CQC-regulated service providers ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the standardised training that was developed for this purpose and is the government's preferred and recommended training for health and social care staff to undertake.
The e-learning is part 1 of both Tiers, and is online. Tier 1 (part 2) is online. Tier 2 (part 2) is face to face.
Yes. Adult social care employers can claim reimbursement. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-learning-and-development-support-scheme/learning-and-development-support-scheme-for-the-adult-social-care-workforce-a-guide-for-employers
The training is valid for 3 years, then a refresher course is required.