Government consults on learning disability and autism training

Since 1 July 2022, all registered health and social care providers have been required to provide training for their staff in learning disability and autism, including how to interact appropriately with autistic people and people who have a learning disability.

The Department of Health and Social Care has now launched a 12-week consultation seeking views on the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice on statutory learning disability and autism training in England.

The consultation considers the draft Code and whether it gives CQC-registered providers the guidance needed to meet the legislative requirement to ensure all staff working at all levels across health and social care settings receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role.

The draft Code covers:

• the content of training
• training appropriate to different roles
• circumstances in which it is appropriate for training to be delivered in person
• the involvement of people with learning disability, autistic people or their carers, in the provision of training
• accreditation of training 
• procurement of training
• monitoring and evaluation of the impact of training

The finalised code will support CQC-registered health and social care providers to meet the legal requirement introduced by section 181 of the Health and Care Act 2022 and regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, making sure staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their roles. You can read our earlier blog on the new legal requirement here.

Responding to the consultation

The consultation closes on 19 September 2023. The views and feedback from the consultation will inform the final version of the Code. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will be required to review the Code "at least once every five years".

You can respond to the consultation here.