From 1^st July 2022, all health and social care providers registered with CQC must ensure that their staff receive training on learning disabilities and autism appropriate to their role.

The government is consulting on the publication of a code of practice. Based on the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. This programme has been developed and trialled. The code of practice is expected to be published in the next 12 months. In the meantime, CQC will provide statutory guidance while the government develops the code.

During the period between the 1^st July and the code being published, inspectors will observe if staff are working with people appropriately. If not, CQC will consider what training and support have been provided to the staff to ensure they have the skills to care properly.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disabilities and Autism is a training package aiming to provide role-specific training, ensuring a better understanding of people’s needs, resulting in better services for those with a learning disability or autism.

The training package came from a government-published report written in 2019, “Right to be heard” It was a response to the consultation on proposals for the introduction of mandatory learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff. The response included committing to developing a standardised training package based on existing best practices.

The training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for health and social care staff to understand better the issues faced by those with a learning disability or autism.

Until the code of practice is published, providers must monitor the guidance from CQC to ensure compliance.