The Government has published the Oliver McGowan draft code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training. The draft code sets out standards for training on learning disability and autism for Care Quality Commission (CQC)registered health and social care providers and their staff.
The code must be laid in Parliament for 40 days. After such time, MPs and Lords will vote to approve the draft code.
In developing the code, the Government consulted people with a learning disability, autistic people and their families and carers, the charitable sector, health and social care stakeholders and CQC.
The Government has published the findings of the consultation. Most findings support the purpose and content of the code of practice. From the analysis of each consultation, the Government identified 10 key themes, including:
- Guidance on the appropriate level of training for staff.
- Availability of training packages.
- Guidance on making training content and delivery relevant for local contexts.
- Representation of personal experiences in training content and delivery.
- Guidance on support for co-trainers with personal experiences.
- Concerns regarding staff and service capacity to undertake training.
- Guidance on monitoring and evaluation.
- Clarity on CQC regulation.
- Expectations on accreditation.
- Clarity on re-doing training.
We will provide more information to members next week.
All registered social care providers in England must ensure their staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. This became a legal requirement on July 1, 2022, under the Health and Care Act 2022. The Care Quality Commission assesses compliance with these training requirements.
All training must meet the following four standards:
- Curriculum requirements: Cover minimum capabilities from national frameworks, with all staff receiving basic awareness training and additional staff receiving more advanced training based on their roles.
- Practical application: Enable staff to apply learning to their specific work settings through case studies, discussions, and real-world examples.
- Co-production and co-delivery: Include live, interactive training delivered by people with learning disabilities and autistic people - minimum 1 hour for awareness-level staff, 1 full day for care-providing staff.
- Evidence-based and quality-assured: Use accredited, evaluated training that involves people with learning disabilities and autistic people in design and assessment.
The government strongly recommends The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training as the preferred package. However, providers can use alternative training if it meets the code's standards.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training has two tiers:
Tier 1 Package is for staff who require a general awareness of the support that autistic people or people with a learning disability may need. The training consists of a 90-minute e-learning module and a 1-hour online interactive session.
Tier 2 Package is for staff who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability. Including: registered managers, careworkers, staff conducting capacity, best interest and Mental Health Act assessments and more. The training consists of a 90-minute e-learning module and a 1-day face-to-face training session.
Both tiers are designed to be retaken at least every 3 years, or more frequently if roles change or learning needs are identified.
Providers can access the e-learning module here. And information on interactive sessions is available here.
