Approved by NHS England & Skills for Care · The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training · Delivered UK-wide

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Approved by NHS England & Skills for Care

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training,
delivered by people who live it

Tier 1 and Tier 2 learning disability and autism training for health and social care teams — co-delivered with our experts with lived experience, anywhere in the UK, with funding support for eligible employers.

Get a bespoke quote → Check funding eligibility

Required for CQC-registered providers under the Health and Care Act 2022

Melissa delivering Oliver McGowan training to a group of health and social care staff Approved Trainer for The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training
Approved by NHS England & Skills for Care
Co-delivered with lived-experience experts
Funding via Skills for Care for eligible employers
Delivered UK-wide, at a venue near you

Why it matters

Compliance that actually changes care

From 1 July 2022, all health and social care providers registered with the CQC must ensure their staff receive training on learning disabilities and autism, appropriate to their role. The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government-endorsed training designed to improve awareness, understanding and support for people with a learning disability and autistic people.

A legal requirement

The Health and Care Act 2022 and the CQC set the expectation. Tier 1 or Tier 2 applies to every member of staff.

Co-delivered, as required

Every session is co-delivered with experts with lived experience of autism and learning disability — the heart of the Oliver McGowan model.

Booked around you

We bring Tier 2 to your venue, arrange dates around your rota, and keep the paperwork simple.

Choose the right tier

Tier 1 or Tier 2? Match the training to your team's roles

A care manager attending the one-hour Tier 1 online session

Tier 1

General awareness

£30 per person · up to 30 delegates

Who it's for
Staff who need general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need — reception, admin, ancillary and support roles.
Format
1 hour, live online session
Explore Tier 1 training →
Delegates in a full-day face-to-face Tier 2 session with lived-experience trainers

Tier 2

For staff providing care and support

£90 per person · up to 25 delegates

Who it's for
All staff involved in providing care and support — nurses, carers, support workers, clinical and social care professionals.
Format
Full day face-to-face, co-delivered by experts with lived experience
Explore Tier 2 training →

Not sure which tier applies to which roles? Send us your staff list and we will map it for you — no obligation.

Why managers choose Fox Training Solutions

We are an independent, personable training provider. To us, you are not just a number.

You are not buying a slide deck. You are buying a day that your staff will still be talking about next month, delivered by a trainer with 25 years of teaching experience alongside colleagues whose lived experience is the reason this training exists at all.

No unanswered emails and no run-of-the-mill treatment: we answer queries as quickly as they arrive, and send a bespoke quotation within one working day. Because the business is deliberately small, the person who quotes for your training is the person who delivers it. There is no account manager, no handover, and no surprise substitution on the day.

Training is built around your setting rather than pulled off a shelf — and we are genuinely passionate about the subject, which is the part delegates notice most.

Our team

Training your CQC inspector will recognise — delivered by people who live it

The Oliver McGowan model requires co-delivery with people with lived experience of autism and learning disability. At Fox Training Solutions that is not a box to tick — Alex, Anthony and Maddie are the heart of every Tier 2 day, paired with 25 years of teaching and quality assurance experience.

Meet the team →
Melissa Tharm, Director & Lead Trainer

Melissa Tharm

Director & Lead Trainer

25 years in education and training. As a Quality Assurance Manager she took achievement rates from 36% to 100% in a single year.

Alex, Expert with lived experience of autism

Alex

Expert with lived experience of autism

Diagnosed at 14, Alex left school at 15 with no support — then completed a Supported Internship and achieved outstanding GCSE results. He teaches staff what good support actually looks like.

Anthony, Expert with lived experience of a learning disability

Anthony

Expert with lived experience of a learning disability

Anthony was promised a job and let down at the last minute. His story is exactly why this training exists — and he turns that experience into better care.

Maddie, Expert with lived experience of autism and a learning disability

Maddie

Expert with lived experience of autism and a learning disability

Tier 2 certified and co-delivering since August 2026. Maddie has moved through both mainstream and specialist education, and brings a current view of what good support looks like for a young person entering work.

Real feedback

What course participants say

Verbatim feedback collected from delegates on Fox Training Solutions courses.

Insight to an individuals life and how their diagnosis impacts their life. Alex was inspirational and I was in awe of his ability to express and share areas of his life that are so personal.
Course participant
I really enjoyed this training. Mel, Anthony and Alex are a good asset to the training and should be really proud that they have delivered such a subject. Thank you.
Course participant
I thoroughly enjoyed the session and found the experts by experience particularly engaging. Mel was also very engaging and knowledgeable and expanded upon topics in a digestible way.
Course participant
Outstanding course and delivered to a very high standard. I admire both Anthony and Alex — you both are super stars!
Course participant
Exceeded my expectations, I have learnt so much that I can take away with me. Great course, interesting and interactive. Mel was an amazing trainer!!
Course participant
Absolutely brilliant! Both Anthony and Alex were fantastic and confident in their delivery. Mel was fab too.
Course participant

Questions managers ask

Frequently asked questions

Also need other courses? We deliver safeguarding, first aid, manual handling, autism awareness, ADHD awareness and bespoke health and social care training. See all courses

Is the Oliver McGowan training mandatory?

Yes. Under the Health and Care Act 2022, all CQC-registered health and social care providers must ensure staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. Tier 1 covers general awareness; Tier 2 is for staff providing care and support.

Which tier do my staff need?

Staff who may have contact with autistic people or people with a learning disability but do not provide direct care usually need Tier 1. Staff providing care and support need Tier 2. Send us your staff list and roles and we will map it for you at no cost.

Does every member of staff really need it?

Yes. All health and social care staff must complete the training regardless of role or seniority — clinical, non-clinical and administrative alike. What changes is the tier, not whether it applies. Reception, catering, maintenance, drivers, volunteers and board members all need Tier 1 as a minimum.

What will my staff actually be able to do differently?

The training closes longstanding gaps in how learning disability and autism are understood. Delegates leave able to communicate more effectively, make reasonable adjustments without being prompted, advocate for the people in their care, and uphold dignity and respect in daily practice — the behaviours that reduce health inequalities.

How does the booking work?

Tell us your staff numbers, roles and location. We send a bespoke quotation within one working day, agree dates around your rota, and for Tier 2 come to your premises or a convenient local venue anywhere in the UK.

Where do you deliver?

Tier 1 is delivered live online, so location is irrelevant. Tier 2 is face-to-face and we travel anywhere in the UK — at your premises or a hotel conference room convenient for your team.

How much does it cost?

Tier 1 is £30 per person for up to 30 delegates. Tier 2 is £90 per person for up to 25 delegates. Eligible adult social care employers can access funding through Skills for Care, and registered charities are offered heavily reduced rates.

The funding pot is limited. Your obligation isn't.

Tell us your staff numbers and location — we'll send a bespoke quotation and explain your funding options within one working day.

Get a bespoke quote Check funding eligibility