Staff training for people with a learning disability or autism
Staff training for people with a learning disability or autism
All GP practices in England must ensure their staff receive training in learning disability and autism, including how to interact appropriately with people with a learning disability and autistic people.
This requirement was introduced by the Health and Care Act in July 2022.
The government’s preferred and recommedned training programme is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. However, the Act does not specify a training package or course for staff. It states:
"Regulations under this section must require service providers to ensure that each person working for the purpose of the regulated activities carried on by them receives training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role.”
The CQC cannot tell practices specifically how to meet their legal requirements in relation to training, and while NHS England and ICBs may share the government’s training programme preference and encourage uptake, it is ultimately for practices to determine how their staff are trained to meet their legal requirements.
Further information is available here.
Oliver McGowan draft code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training
The code of practice first published on 27th June 2023 (updated on 19th June 2025) and regulated by CQC
CQC Statement
Compliance with the standards set out in the code of practice, is expected to ensure that every person receives high quality learning disability and autism training that meets their learning needs and is appropriate to their role. Importantly, this aims to improve the experiences and outcomes of autistic people and people with a learning disability when they access CQC regulated health and social care services.
This means that CQC registered providers must ensure that they provide each member of staff with training that meets the standards set out in the Code in order to deliver the best possible outcomes. CQC will use the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice when considering whether providers are meeting the requirements of the regulation.
