New autism training benefits health and social care staff
By Gemma Raw
Evaluation of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism has found that it is having a positive impact on knowledge and skills development in a range of health and social care jobs.
In 2019 the government committed to creating a standardised learning disabilities and autism training package for health and social care staff. A two-year trial of the training involved more than 8,300 health and social care workers across England, including social workers, social care managers and social care support workers.
The evaluation showed that the training led to an increase in knowledge and skills among those working in health and social care jobs, helping them interact and communicate more effectively and confidently with autistic people and people with a learning disability. In May a summary of the key findings from the two-year trial was presented at an online event attended by more than 650 people.
"Teamwork between people with a learning disability, autistic people, health and social care workers and organisations has been at the centre of creating the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training trials," said Skills for Care CEO Oonagh Smyth. "Skills for Care has been pleased to be part of this team approach underpinning these trials that told us so much and is looking forward to moving forward together as there is so much more work for us to do."
Who was Oliver McGowan?
As a child, Oliver was diagnosed with mild hemiplegia, focal partial epilepsy, a mild learning disability and high functioning autism. Despite his health issues, Oliver became a prefect at school, gained several GCSE and BTEC examinations, and went on to attend National Star College in Cheltenham.
Oliver died in 2016 at the age of 18 after repeatedly being given anti-psychotic medication against both his own and his parents’ wishes, because he had experienced previous adverse reactions to this type of medication. An independent Learning Disability Mortality Review into his death concluded that it was preventable.
Oliver's Campaign
Oliver's parents Paula and Tom have campaigned tirelessly for better understanding of autism and learning disabilities amongst health and social care staff. They created Oliver's Campaign and in 2018 Paula successfully launched a parliamentary petition asking for doctors and nurses in England to receive mandatory training in learning disability and autism awareness.
The government went further, announcing that health and social care staff would receive the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism. In June 2021, Paula was awarded an OBE for her outstanding service to people with autism and intellectual disabilities.
"Oliver’s training has been co-designed, delivered, and evaluated alongside people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and those with lived experience. Their voices have been heard every step of the way," commented Paula. "Together we are beginning to change culture, hearts, and minds. There is a lot more work to be done, but that journey has now begun. Oliver would be so very proud."
