Standards for learning disability and autism training for health and care staff will improve as the Government launches a consultation on a new code of practice.

Draft guidance for the Oliver McGowan code of practice outlines how health and care providers who are Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered can meet the new legislative requirement to ensure staff receive training on learning disabilities and autism appropriate to their roles.

The draft strategy outlines the standards that training on learning disabilities and autism must meet to comply with the legislation from the Health and Care Act 2022, and guidance on how providers can meet those standards.

Levelling up

People with a learning disability and autistic people face poorer health outcomes than the general population and it is crucial that health and care staff are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to provide high-quality, personalised care and help reduce inequalities in health outcomes.

We want as many people as possible to contribute to this consultation so we can continue working towards a society where everyone knows their needs will be met when they walk into a hospital or care setting

The new legal training requirement and introduction of a code of practice are important steps in improving the care that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive.

Minister of State for Health, Maria Caulfield, said: “People with a learning disability and autistic people deserve care that is personalised to them and it is important for staff to have the right skills to provide this.

“We want as many people as possible to contribute to this consultation so we can continue working towards a society where everyone knows their needs will be met when they walk into a hospital or care setting.

Tom Cahill, national director for learning disability and autism at NHS England, added: “This is a significant step towards improving awareness, knowledge, and skills of all health and care staff in looking after and supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people.

“The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism will ensure that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive the right levels of care and support that meet their individual needs.

Get involved

“We ask that all health and care employers take part in this consultation - and ensure their staff get the appropriate training they need through the recently-rolled-out e-learning, interactive, and face-to-face training sessions.”

This is a significant step towards improving awareness, knowledge, and skills of all health and care staff in looking after and supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people

As set out in the draft code, The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the Government’s preferred and recommended programme to support CQC-registered providers to meet the new requirement introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022.

The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young autistic teenager with a mild learning disability who died after having a severe reaction to medication given to him against his and his family’s wishes.

Oliver’s parents, Paula and Tom McGowan, have since campaigned for better training for health and care staff to improve understanding of the needs of people with a learning disability or autistic people.

Running for 12 weeks, ending on 19 September, the consultation seeks views on the draft code’s content.

Government will then consider responses before laying the revised code in Parliament.