Oliver McGowan Training in 2025: What the Final Code of Practice Really Means for Care Providers

Summary: Training on learning disability and autism is legally required for all CQC‑registered providers. The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice was finalised on 6 September 2025 and explains how to meet that requirement. The government’s preferred route to compliance is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, but providers can meet the standards using other credible training that aligns to the Code.

Quick refresher: what changed since the last blog?

Since the previous post on Oliver McGowan training (Understanding The Oliver McGowan Training), there have been significant developments:

• The Oliver McGowan Code of Practice has now been laid in Parliament and became official on 6 September 2025. It sets clear expectations for CQC‑registered providers on training content, delivery, quality assurance and involvement of people with lived experience.

• The legal duty introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022 remains unchanged: all CQC‑registered providers must ensure staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. CQC expects providers to evidence this through policies, records, supervision and competence.

Is the Oliver McGowan training itself mandatory?

Short answer: No - but training on learning disability and autism is.

• What’s mandatory: Since 1 July 2022, all CQC‑registered providers must ensure every worker receives role‑appropriate training in learning disability and autism. This is set in law via Section 181 of the Health and Care Act 2022, which amended the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

• What’s preferred: The government signposts the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism as the preferred and recommended package to meet the requirement. Using it can make compliance simpler to evidence.

  
  

Providers may use other training routes if these genuinely meet the Code’s standards and are proportionate to roles. However, they should be ready to show regulators how their approach maps to the Code and frameworks, is quality‑assured, and involves people with lived experience.

The four standards in the Code of Practice - at a glance

The Code sets four core standards for training. Here’s what they are:

Standard 1 - All staff receive training that covers a minimum curriculum of capabilities from the ‘Core capabilities framework for supporting people with a learning disability’ and the ‘Core capabilities framework for supporting autistic people’ on the Skills for Health Supporting autistic people and/or people with a learning disability page. Further training beyond this minimum curriculum is proportionate and tailored to the requirements of staff at different levels and in different roles, taking into account the tiers and capabilities set out in the core capabilities frameworks.

Standard 2 - "All staff receive training that enables them to explore how they will put their learning into practice. Examples include the provision of augmented materials and learning tools to help staff understand how to apply their learning to their specific work setting and the people they work with."

Standard 3 - "All staff receive a minimum amount of live and interactive training that is co-produced and co-delivered by people with a learning disability and autistic people. For staff who require a general awareness of learning disability and autism, this is a minimum of one hour of live and interactive training with a person with a learning disability and an autistic person. For staff with responsibility for providing care and support for a person or people with a learning disability or autistic people and for staff with a higher level of autonomy, who manage complex care or lead on learning disability and autism services, this is a minimum of one day of in-person training. This is in addition to a compulsory e-learning module of at least 90 minutes covering the tier 1 capabilities set out in Standard 1 which all staff must complete."

Standard 4 - "All staff receive training that is based on evidence and is quality-assured through trialling, ongoing evaluation and accreditation. People with a learning disability and autistic people must be meaningfully involved in these processes."

Of course there is more details contained within the full code of practice, click here to read more:- The Oliver McGowan code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training - GOV.UK

What does this mean?

Like other areas these are the key training standards that must be met in order to meet the requirements set out within the Health & Care Act 2022.

As you can see by the standards this does not directly describe or identify the Oliver McGowan training as being the one and only form of training you can utilise. however to be compliant with the Health & Care Act 2022 it is essential that any training must evidence that it meets these standards set out within the code of practice.

Does it have to be the Oliver McGowan syllabus?

No - the Code does not force providers to use a single syllabus. Providers can create or commission their own programmes if they meet the Code’s standards (above). That said, why would you do it when the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is purpose‑built to satisfy these standards and is explicitly recommended by government as the preferred route. For many organisations, that makes inspection conversations more straightforward.

What CQC is likely to look for

CQC’s guidance sets clear expectations about training, supervision and competence. Providers should be prepared to evidence:

• Role‑appropriate coverage mapped to the Core Capabilities Frameworks (and tiers).

• Completion records for the 90‑minute e‑learning and the appropriate live component (Tier 1 live online; Tier 2 one‑day in‑person).

• Co‑production and co‑delivery with people with lived experience (who are supported, trained, and paid fairly).

• Quality assurance and evaluation cycles, including refresher scheduling (commonly at least every three years, or sooner when roles change), supervision notes and competence checks.

• Impact in practice, not just attendance e.g., changes to care plans, communication adjustments, reasonable adjustments, and incident learning.

Training staff to support autistic people and people with a learning disability - Care Quality Commission

Accessing the training (and integrating e‑learning)

The Oliver McGowan training runs in two tiers, each with two parts:

• Part 1: A standardised e‑learning module (~90 minutes) that everyone completes. - This can be found on eLearning for Healthcare Website for free:- Home - elearning for healthcare

• Part 2: A live component—either a 1‑hour online interactive session (Tier 1) or a 1‑day face‑to‑face session (Tier 2)—co‑delivered with people with lived experience.

The e‑learning is available via e‑Learning for Healthcare (eLfH) and can be integrated into local learning management systems. Employers can develop capacity to deliver Part 2 in‑house (with trained facilitators and co‑trainers) or commission external providers.

Why lived experience in the room matters

There’s a simple analogy that lands well with teams: if someone were teaching a skydive, most of us would want an instructor who has actually experienced a skydive. In the same spirit, involving people with a learning disability and autistic people as co‑trainers brings nuance, authenticity and practical wisdom that can transform a “tick‑box” into a mind‑changing learning experience. That’s precisely why the Code elevates meaningful involvement at every stage.

Frequently asked questions (quick fire)

Is a pre‑recorded video acceptable for the live requirement?

No. The Code calls for live, interactive learning co‑delivered with people with lived experience. Pre‑recorded content can support, but not replace, that component.

Can we design our own training?

Yes—if it fully meets the four standards, aligns to the Core Capabilities Frameworks, and is quality‑assured with meaningful involvement. Be ready to evidence this to CQC.

Is the Oliver McGowan package accredited and evaluated?

It was co‑produced, trialled with thousands of staff, and is designed to align with the Code’s expectations for evidence and quality assurance; it is the government’s preferred route. Always check the latest accreditation details with your provider/region.

What is Tier 3 Training?

As we understand it so far, this piece of training has yet to be developed and released however it indicates towards a higher level of need of training for people working in specialist roles such as learning disability nursing for example. This is looking at where people are in positions of having a massive impact on the lives and outcomes of people with a learning disability and autistic people.

How can I access training for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disabilities and Autism?

Its simple, get in contact with us and we can support you further, we can support the training of the Tier 2 Oliver McGowan training. We also offer a Train the Trainer in the Oliver McGowan Training in particular we have more information on the Tier 2 Facilitator Training and Tier 2 Co-Trainer Training on our website, otherwise feel free to contact us and we will look to provide further support.

Also give us a call and we can happily talk through your options further in meeting this essential standard of training.