Stage 2 Training — Now Booking

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training

Stage 2 training on learning disability and autism, co-delivered with people who have lived experience. Practical, human and rooted in the real difference good care makes.

Co-delivered with lived experience Tier 1 and Tier 2 Online and face to face
About the training

Named after Oliver. Shaped by his family.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the national standard for learning disability and autism training for health and social care staff. It is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death showed how much needs to change in the way services understand and support autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Stage 1 is completed as eLearning. Stage 2 — delivered here — is the interactive session where learning becomes practice, led by trainers working alongside co-trainers with lived experience.

Tier 1 — Stage 2

A 1.5 hour interactive online session for staff who may need to know about learning disability and autism. Builds confidence in communication, reasonable adjustments and recognising when someone needs extra support.

  • Live online, small groups
  • Co-delivered with lived experience
  • Follows Stage 1 eLearning

Tier 2 — Stage 2

A full day face-to-face session for staff who provide care and support, or who make decisions about a person's care. Deeper practice on capacity, consent, diagnostic overshadowing and annual health checks.

  • One full day, in person
  • Scenario and case-based practice
  • Follows Stage 1 eLearning
What you will take away

Learning that changes practice

Understand and challenge assumptions

Recognise diagnostic overshadowing and the health inequalities faced by autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Communicate in the right way

Adapt communication, use accessible information and involve families, carers and advocates well.

Make reasonable adjustments

Plan and record adjustments that make care accessible, from appointment length to sensory environment.

Apply capacity and consent well

Work confidently with the Mental Capacity Act, best interest decisions and supported decision making.

See the person first

Use lived experience insight to shape care that is respectful, safe and genuinely person centred.

Know your responsibilities

Understand annual health checks, hospital passports and the legal duties that sit behind good practice.

Who it is for

Every role in health and social care

The training is a requirement for health and social care staff in England. Your employer will confirm whether you need Tier 1 or Tier 2, based on your role and the decisions you make about people's care.

  • NHS trusts, primary care and community services
  • Adult social care providers and supported living teams
  • Care homes, domiciliary care and day services
  • Administrative, reception and non-clinical staff (Tier 1)
  • Clinicians, care staff and managers making care decisions (Tier 2)

Before you attend

  1. 1
    Complete Stage 1 eLearning

    The eLearning must be finished before your Stage 2 session. Your employer or eLearning for Healthcare account provides access.

  2. 2
    Book your Stage 2 session

    Choose a date below and complete the registration form. We will confirm your place by email.

  3. 3
    Attend and take part

    Sessions are interactive and discussion based, so please join for the full session with camera on where possible.

Upcoming sessions

Choose a date that works for you

New dates are added regularly. If nothing here suits your team, get in touch and we can arrange a session for your organisation.

Thursday 15 October 2026
09:30 – 16:30 The Link Training, Huddersfield Tier 2 · Face to face
Places availableRegister
Tuesday 3 November 2026
10:00 – 11:30 Microsoft Teams Tier 1 · Live online
Places availableRegister
Wednesday 18 November 2026
09:30 – 16:30 The Link Training, Huddersfield Tier 2 · Face to face
Limited placesRegister
Thursday 10 December 2026
10:00 – 11:30 Microsoft Teams Tier 1 · Live online
Places availableRegister
Registration

Oliver McGowan — Stage 2 Training registration

Complete the form below to book your place. We will email you to confirm your session and share joining details.

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Training a whole team?

We can deliver Oliver McGowan Stage 2 sessions for your organisation on dates that fit your rotas. Get in touch to talk it through.

www.thelinktraining.org hello@thelinktraining.org