Oliver McGowan

Delivering the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: A Step Towards Inclusive and Compassionate Care. In the world of health and social care, ensuring that professionals have the right knowledge and skills to support individuals with learning disabilities and autism is not just beneficial—it is essential. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training was developed to address this need, following the tragic and preventable death of Oliver McGowan, a young man with autism and learning disabilities who experienced inadequate care , which resulted in his death . His story highlighted the urgent need for systemic change, leading to the creation of the Oliver McGowan training programme. Oliver's mother Paula McGowan knew that something needed to be done to help stop another preventable death for people with autism and learning disabilities, so she launched a parliamentary petition for all health and social care staff in England to recieve Mandatory Training in learning disability and autism.

After tirelessly campaigning in 2019 the government published the 'right to be heard', its responce to the petition, and consultation on learning disability and autism training for all health and social care staff , committing to develop and test a new training package. The training was developed and named after Oliver in his memory , in recognition to him and others who have sadly had their lives cut short.

So when I was given the opportunity to be able to complete the train the trainer course delivered by the National autistic society (NAS), to be able to deliver this training to all our staff at able2achieve in house , I jumped at the chance .

Why Is This Training So Important?
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is designed to improve the understanding, communication, and person-centred care provided to individuals with learning disabilities and autism. It aims to:
• Enhance Awareness: Many health and social care professionals may not fully understand the unique needs of autistic individuals or those with learning disabilities. This training ensures they gain the necessary insights.
• Improve Communication: Miscommunication can lead to distress and inadequate care. The training equips staff with the skills to engage effectively with individuals, respecting their preferences and needs.
• Promote Person-Centred Care: Every individual deserves care tailored to their specific needs. This training reinforces the importance of listening to and working with individuals to provide the best possible support, including also working with individuals family, friends and advocates.
• Reduce Health Inequalities: People with learning disabilities and autism often face disparities in healthcare outcomes. By educating professionals, this training helps bridge that gap and ensures equitable treatment.

Delivering the Training: What to Expect
The training is structured into two tiers:
• Tier 1: A general awareness module for all staff, including an e-learning component and a live interactive session.
• Tier 2: A more in-depth programme for professionals who regularly support individuals with learning disabilities and autism. This includes a full-day face-to-face training session.
Both tiers are co-delivered by experts by experience, and we are very lucky that our learners at able2achieve Ben, Eleanor and Ali wanted to be apart of the training, and completed a 3 day training course themselves to co deliver the training along side me. Having the experts with lived experience ensures that real-life perspectives shape the learning process for professionals. This approach makes the training more impactful, fostering empathy and understanding among participants.

The Wider Impact
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is not just about compliance—it is about saving lives and ensuring that every individual receives the dignity and respect they deserve in healthcare and social care settings. By embedding this training into health and social care practices, we take a significant step toward a more inclusive and compassionate system.

As professionals, embracing this training means committing to better care, better communication, and better outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. It is a responsibility we must all take seriously.

Conclusion
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is a vital step toward creating a more inclusive and compassionate care system. By equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills to support individuals with learning disabilities and autism, we can ensure that every individual receives the dignity and respect they deserve.

By Laura Gosney | 30 May 2025