Who is Oliver McGowan?

Oliver McGowan was a young man from Bristol, England, who had autism, learning disabilities and epilepsy. He was born on 24 November 1999 and tragically passed away on 11 November 2016 due to inadequate care.

His story has gained significant attention and became a stimulant for raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and/ or learning disabilities within the healthcare system. His case highlighted the importance of person-centred care, informed consent, and the rights of individuals with disabilities

Is Oliver McGowan training Mandatory?

In the Health and Care Act 2022, training has been legally required for all Care Quality Commission (CQC)  registered social and healthcare providers in England. The Oliver McGowan Training is now Mandatory by Law as of June 2025.

Why is it important to have Oliver McGowan training?

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is pivotal in the UK as it addresses the improvement of care for individuals who has autism or learning disabilities in social care or health care settings. The Oliver McGowan Training is now Mandatory by Law. The training promotes safety and inclusion while it encourages a person- centred and compassionate approach which is beneficial for the individuals giving or receiving care.

Challenges and considerations with decision-making for individuals with disabilities

Decision making in general can be tough but for those individuals with disabilities or autism may expose some considerations or unique challenges; a few challenges that must be considered may be:

• Accessibility of information
• Communication barriers
• The influence of others
• Limited options and control
• Advocacy and support
• Intersectionality or interconnectedness

Who should take the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

All CQC  registered staff who may treat or come into contact with people who has learning disabilities or autistic people are now legally required to do the training, generally they are, but not limited to:

1. NHS staff (doctors, nurses, paramedics, therapists)
2. GP Practice staff (this may include the receptionist and admin team)
3. All Care Home workers
4. Domiciliary Care Staff
5. Mental Health Professionals
6. Pharmacists
7. Dentists
8. Healthcare assistants

While it may not be legally required for those doing the below, the training is encouraged for:

1. Education Professionals
2. Housing Support Workers
3. Emergency Service Staff
4. Public Transport Staff
5. Any person who delivers public services

Online training that are important alongside Oliver McGowan training:

• person-centred care
• informed consent
• Understanding and Supporting ADHD and Autism in Healthcare Settings
• Therapeutic Observations and Engagement
• POVA Adult and Children Level 2
• Patient Consent
• Dual Diagnosis
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

Effective communication strategies and approaches:

Effective communication strategies and approaches are of extreme importance for the promotion of clear and meaningful interactions with all individuals with disabilities and/ or learning disabilities; some strategies to consider may be:

1. The use of clear and simple understandable language
2. Active listening
3. Respectful and inclusive language
4. Non Verbal Communication
5. Asking for preference and accommodations
6. Provide visual aids
7. Patience and time
8. Adapt to individual needs
9. Practise empathy and respect
10. Seek feedback

Just a Note:

Doing an online Oliver McGowan Training Course or any other online training module with Train Healthcare, which take approximately 1 hour to complete, will earn you 1 CPD Point per course.