Will learning disability and autism training for health and care staff improve?

This week the government launched a consultation on a code of practice that sets out plans to conduct statutory learning disability and autism training.

On Monday, authorities joined together to announce a consultation has been launched on the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice. Drafted guidance within the practice outlines how health and care providers, who are CQC registered, can meet the new legislative requirement to ensure staff receive training on learning disabilities and autism that is appropriate to their role.

The new legislation has been introduced after a young boy named Oliver McGowan, a young autistic teenager with a mild learning disability, died in November 2016 after having a severe reaction to medication given to him against his and his family’s wishes.

Following his tragic passing, Oliver’s parents, Paula and Tom McGowan, have campaigned for better training for health and care staff to improve understanding of the needs of people with a learning disability and/or autism.

After listening to the campaign, the government have now created a new code of practice, in which the consultation period will last for 12 weeks, ending on 19^th September. It aims to gather people’s opinions on the new legislation in which the government will then consider responses before laying out a final draft of the revised code in Parliament.

The drafted version of the new code of practice highlights the standards that training on learning disabilities and autism must meet to comply with the legislation from the Health and Care Act 2022, and guidance on how providers can meet those standards.

Minister for State for Health, Maria Caulfield, said: ‘People with a learning disability and autistic people deserve care that is personalised to them, and it’s important for staff to have the right skills to provide this.

‘We want as many people as possible to contribute to this consultation so that we can continue working towards a society where everyone knows their needs will be met when they walk into a hospital or care setting.’

After the consultation was launched this week, the government remarked that all views of all interested individuals and groups are welcome.

Tom Cahill, National Director for Learning Disability and Autism at NHS England, yesterday said: ‘This is a significant step towards improving awareness, knowledge and skills of all health and care staff in looking after and supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people.

‘The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism will ensure that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive the right levels of care and support that meet their individual needs.

‘We ask that all health and care employers take part in this consultation – and ensure their staff get the appropriate training they need through the recently rolled out e-learning, interactive and face-to-face training sessions.’

Image: Alireza Attari