The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

Summary

Read about the importance of lived experience education and the story of Oliver McGowan.

Why This Training Exists: Oliver’s Story

Oliver McGowan was a bright and funny young man who loved football and athletics, and had dreams of joining Team GB as a Paralympian. 

He also had autism, a mild learning disability, and epilepsy. 

In 2016, at just 18 years old, Oliver died after being given antipsychotic medication in hospital, despite his parents’ warning to staff that it wasn’t safe for him. 

His death was later described as “potentially avoidable,” highlighting a devastating lack of understanding about autism and learning disabilities in healthcare.

Oliver’s parents, Paula and Tom McGowan, transformed their grief into action. They argued powerfully and persuasively that no other family should suffer as they had, simply because healthcare professionals were not trained to recognise the needs of people like Oliver. Their campaign became the driving force behind the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, now written into law as the government’s standardised approach for all health and social care staff.

Learn more about Oliver’s story on the Oliver’s Campaign website.

What Is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

Under the Health and Care Act 2022, any provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) must ensure their staff are trained in learning disability and autism appropriate to their role. Oliver’s Training is the government’s preferred standardised programme for meeting this legal requirement. 

The programme has two tiers and two parts. Everyone starts with Part 1, the e-learning module; after that, staff do either Tier 1 or Tier 2, depending on how much interaction or care they provide to people with autism or learning disabilities. 

• Tier 1: For staff who need a general awareness of learning disability and autism.
• Tier 2: For staff who provide care and support to autistic people or those with a learning disability.

The training is co-delivered by people with lived experience of learning disability and autism, alongside healthcare professionals. This ensures the content isn’t just theoretical but grounded in real life, helping staff see the person, not just the diagnosis.

Learn more on the NHS England website.

Why It Matters

Research and inquiries, including the LeDeR review, have consistently shown that people with learning disabilities and autism face significant health inequalities, including higher rates of avoidable deaths. Many of these tragedies stem from a lack of understanding and inadequate training among staff.

This mandatory programme aims to close that gap. By equipping staff with the proper knowledge, confidence, and empathy, the training seeks to make healthcare safer, more respectful, and more effective for people with autism and learning disabilities. 

A Lasting Legacy

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training stands as more than a policy. It embodies a change born from tragedy, with the potential to protect lives for generations. 

Paula and Tom McGowan fought tirelessly to turn their son’s story into lasting change, pushing for training that could prevent others from facing the same loss. 

When the government published the new code of practice, Paula reflected on what that moment meant:

“The publication of the code of practice marks a deeply emotional and significant milestone for us and will ensure Oliver’s legacy will continue to make a difference by safeguarding people with a learning disability and autistic individuals from the same preventable failings that he tragically endured.” (gov.uk)

Follow Paula on LinkedIn for updates on Oliver’s campaign.

Every healthcare professional who undertakes this training contributes to building a system that sees people with learning disabilities and autism not as problems, but as individuals with rights and voices that deserve to be heard. 

What This Means for SEND Tutoring

While this training is designed for health and social care staff, its lessons ripple far beyond hospitals and clinics. For those of us working in education and supplemental support, such as SEND Tutoring, it sets a standard worth aspiring to.

Raising the bar on reasonable adjustments 

The training clarifies what genuine, practical adjustments look like. Tutors and educators should reflect that same level of thoughtfulness and flexibility in their work.

Lived experience as expertise

Oliver’s Training is co-delivered by autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Involving those with lived experience in service design and delivery is just as vital in tutoring and educational support.

Aligning with legal protections

As statutory requirements expand, families will rightly expect all services, including private tutoring for autism and special educational needs, to align with best practice and uphold children’s rights to dignity and tailored support.

Beyond Policy, Toward Change

Oliver’s legacy shows what is possible when families refuse to stay silent and when lived experience shapes the system. 

The mandatory training is a lifeline, and if its lessons extend beyond healthcare into education and support services, we can build a future where those with learning disabilities and autism are always met with dignity, understanding, and safety.

Looking for learning support for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, PDA? Find a Tutor near you!

Find out how we can help students with epilepsy, dyscalculia, cerebral palsy, OCD, ODD, high ability, and more on our website. Check out our resources page for more blogs and useful links!

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Ella Jones

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