At Special People, our commitment to delivering exceptional, person-centred care never stands still. On 17th March 2026, our dedicated team of support workers took an important step forward by completing the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, a landmark programme that is transforming care standards across England.
What Is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is a nationally standardised programme introduced by NHS England and Health Education England, named in honour of Oliver McGowan, a young man with a learning disability and autism who tragically lost his life in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family’s wishes. Oliver’s story, and his family’s tireless campaign for change, led to this training becoming a legal requirement under the Health and Care Act 2022.
The training is now mandatory for all health and social care staff in England, ensuring that every person who works with individuals with a learning disability or autism receives consistent, high-quality, and appropriate care. It is co-produced and delivered with the direct involvement of people with lived experience, a cornerstone of its design that makes it genuinely impactful.
WHY IT MATTERS
People with a learning disability and autistic people continue to experience significant health inequalities and are at far greater risk of receiving poor or inappropriate care. This training exists to change that, one team at a time.
What Did the Training Cover?
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is structured across two tiers. Our support workers completed the tier appropriate to their roles, gaining deep and practical knowledge across a range of essential topics:
Understanding Learning Disabilities
What a learning disability is, how it presents, and how it affects individuals in daily life.
Understanding Autism
The autism spectrum, sensory differences, communication styles, and why a one-size-fits-all approach never works.
Communication & Interaction
Practical approaches to effective, respectful communication, including non-verbal, AAC, and Makaton-informed methods.
Rights, Advocacy & Legislation
The legal framework underpinning care, including the Mental Capacity Act, human rights, and the importance of advocacy.
Person-Centred Care
How to provide care that truly centres the individual, their wishes, identity, preferences, and goals.
Health Inequalities
Why people with a learning disability and autistic people face poorer health outcomes, and the role every carer plays in addressing this.
Crucially, the training was co-delivered by trainers with lived experience of learning disability and autism. Hearing first-hand perspectives brought the content to life in a way that no textbook ever could, and our team found this to be among the most powerful elements of the day.
It reminded me that every single person we support has a unique story, unique strengths, and unique needs. We're not just carers, we're advocates, allies, and companions on each person's journey.
What This Means for the People We Support
At Special People, we work alongside children, young people, and adults with a wide range of disabilities and special needs. Every member of our team completing this training is a direct investment in the quality of support that the people in our care receive every day.
The Oliver McGowan Training reinforces what we already believe at the heart of our organisation: that every person deserves to be understood, respected, and supported in a way that reflects who they truly are. The training gives our support workers sharper tools, broader awareness, and deeper empathy, not just for clinical or professional scenarios, but for the everyday moments that make the biggest difference.
Whether it’s understanding why a particular environment might feel overwhelming to someone with sensory sensitivities, knowing how to support someone to make their own informed choices, or simply taking the time to communicate in a way that works best for each individual, this training equips our team to do all of this with greater confidence and competence.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Excellence
Completing the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is part of a wider culture of continuous learning and professional development at Special People. We are proud that our team approaches training with enthusiasm and openness, always seeking to grow and to provide the very best support possible.
We extend our sincere thanks to Oliver McGowan’s family, particularly his mother Paula, whose courage and determination in turning personal tragedy into lasting, systemic change has already made the health and care sector a safer, kinder place. Oliver’s legacy lives on in every carer who completes this training and takes its lessons into their work.
We also extend our warmest thanks to our support workers for their dedication, their openness, and their commitment to being the best possible advocates for the people they support.