The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: what it is, what’s changed, and how to comply with requirements

If you run or lead a care service in England, this training is now a legal requirement. Below we explain the essentials: the law and new Code of Practice, what counts as Tier 1 vs Tier 2, what CQC will check, where funding can help, what’s coming with national accreditation, and how CareTutor can make the whole thing manageable. 

Why this training exists (and why it’s mandatory) 

The training is named in memory of Oliver McGowan, whose death in 2016 exposed system-wide gaps in understanding learning disability and autism. Following years of evidence and consultation, Parliament required training for all staff of CQC-registered providers through the Health and Care Act 2022, Section 181. The Act also requires the Secretary of State to issue a Code of Practice explaining how providers should comply.  

On 6 September 2025, the government’s Oliver McGowan Code of Practice became final. It sets standards for content, delivery and quality assurance that CQC will consider when judging compliance.  

The legal position in plain English 

• Who must do this? All CQC-registered providers in England must ensure staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role.  

• What standard applies? The Code of Practice is now the benchmark CQC will use under Regulation 18 (staffing/training) and connected duties.

The Code sets four national standards providers should meet: 

1. Minimum curriculum mapped to the Core Capabilities Frameworks (learning disability and autism).  
2. Application to practice (training must help staff use learning in their setting).  
3. Co-production and live delivery (meaningful involvement of people with lived experience).  
4. Evidence, QA and evaluation (training must be trialled, accredited and reviewed).

The programme structure: Tiers and Parts (the bit many people miss) 

The government’s preferred and recommended route is The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism (OMMT), delivered in two tiers and two parts.  

• Tier 1 – for staff who need general awareness 

Part 1: 90-minute e-learning 

Part 2: 1-hour live, interactive session co-delivered with at least one autistic person and one person with a learning disability (online or in-person) 

OR 

• Tier 2 – for staff who provide direct care/support or make service decisions 

Part 1: 90-minute e-learning (same as Tier 1) 

Part 2: full-day, in-person training co-delivered with lived-experience trainers 

Crucially, Tier 1 is not just the e-learning, the live, interactive hour is mandatory.  

Who needs which tier? 

As a rule of thumb: 

• Tier 2 for anyone providing care/support or making service decisions (care workers, seniors, team leaders, registered managers, clinicians). 
• Tier 1 for roles with no public contact or decisions affecting care (e.g., finance/estates). 

This aligns with the Code’s role-mapping examples and the Core Capabilities Framework approach to tiers.  

What CQC will look for 

CQC has signalled how it will assess providers against these requirements:  

• Completion: staff trained at the right tier and both parts completed (e-learning + live). 

• Application: evidence that learning is used, communication profiles, reasonable adjustments, sensory-aware care planning, hospital passports, STOMP/Ask Listen Do. 

• Governance: policies, a delivery plan, booking/attendance records, certificates, and a 3-year refresh cycle.

Funding help for adult social care 

Good news for care providers: Adult Social Care employers can claim training costs through the national Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). This can offset Tier-1 live delivery, Experts by Experience (EBE) fees, Tier-2 training days, and backfill where eligible.  

Regional networks and sector bodies are already highlighting this route for OMMT, so build your evidence pack (training matrix, agendas, attendee lists with roles, certificates, invoices) to support claims.  

National accreditation is coming 

NHS England has announced a procurement to establish a national accreditation scheme for OMMT providers/trainers. The plan is to appoint a provider to run accreditation and quality assurance, aligning with the Code of Practice and the new procurement rules. Indicative timelines point to early 2026 for operation. For commissioners and providers, that means checking partners are approved now and preparing for accreditation.  

Practical rollout for smaller providers (an 8-step plan) 

1. Map roles to tiers on one page (when in doubt, choose Tier 2).  
2. Assign the e-learning to all staff (Part 1). Free access is available via the national e-learning hub or your LMS via AICC.  
3. Book the live elements: Tier 1 = 1-hour interactive (virtual works); Tier 2 = full-day in-person. Ensure co-delivery with EBEs.  
4. Keep the gap short between e-learning and the live session; if months pass, ask staff to refresh before attending. (End-to-end fidelity is part of the national model.)  
5. Capture evidence: attendance registers, certificates, and brief reflections (“one change I’ll make”), plus examples in care plans and supervision notes.  
6. Plan a 3-year refresh cycle (or sooner if roles change).  
7. Use LDSS funding where eligible and file neatly with your evidence pack.  
8. Commission well: use approved providers now and ask how they’re preparing for national accreditation.

How CareTutor helps (signpost, track, evidence) 

• Signposting & gating: Assign the official e-learning from within CareTutor and gate Tier-2 bookings until Part 1 is completed.  

• Booking & attendance: Run weekly Tier-1 virtual cohorts with EBEs and schedule Tier-2 in-person days; capture attendance and certificates in one place. 

• Traffic-light compliance: Our matrix shows who’s green/amber/red by role and tier, exportable for audits and funding claims. 

• 3-year refresh: Automated reminders and re-assignment keep you on cycle. 

• Evidence pack: One-click export of matrix + agendas + attendance + certificates for inspectors and LDSS claims.

Key resources (authoritative sources) 

• Code of Practice (final; updated 18 Sept 2025). The government’s benchmark for training standards and delivery.  

• Health and Care Act 2022, Section 181 (the legal duty to train).  

• CQC guidance on the training requirement and how it will be assessed.  

• OMMT e-learning (e-LfH): Part 1 for both tiers; national route into the programme.  

• Core Capabilities Frameworks for learning disability and autism (what your training should cover).  

• LDSS funding (Adult Social Care Learning & Development Support Scheme).

Final word 

This isn’t just another training mandate. It’s a national push for safer, fairer, more person-centred care, backed by law, a detailed Code of Practice, and a maturing quality-assurance system. With funding support and the right tooling, it’s entirely achievable. 

👉 Watch a recording of our webinar on Oliver McGowan Training