Code of Practice on statutory learning disability and autism training

Statement

Today I am pleased to lay in Parliament the Oliver McGowan draft Code of Practice (the Code) on statutory learning disability and autism training. The launch of this Code represents a significant moment in the journey towards improving the care and treatment of people with a learning disability and autistic people. With its clear focus to ensure people receive tailored and compassionate support, it is especially fitting to launch this Code after recently celebrating World Autism Awareness Day in April and during Learning Disability Week which this year is focusing on ensuring people are seen, heard and valued. An easy read version of the Code is also available.

The purpose of the Code is to ensure that service providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have the necessary guidance to meet the legal requirement introduced in the Health and Care Act 2022. The effect of the requirement is that, from 1 July 2022, CQC-registered providers are required to ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism, appropriate to their role. To aid those who need to comply with the training requirement, the Secretary of State is obliged by the 2022 Act to issue a Code of Practice. Therefore, this Code sets out the standards that training needs to meet to comply with the legislation and guidance on what providers need to do to meet those standards.

As set out in the Code, the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the Government’s preferred and recommended training package to support CQC-registered providers to meet the new requirement. The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young autistic teenager with a mild learning disability, who very sadly died after having a severe reaction to medication given to him against his and his family’s strong wishes. Oliver’s parents, Paula and Tom McGowan, have tirelessly campaigned for better training for health and care staff to improve understanding of the needs of people with a learning disability or autistic people. The training has been trialled with over 8,000 participants and independently evaluated to ensure the final package is robust and high quality. A long-term, independent evaluation on its delivery and impact is also now underway.

People with a learning disability and autistic people experience disparities in the quality of care they receive. Research indicates that a lack of understanding and knowledge of learning disability and autism likely contributes to this. This government has set out three big shifts needed to make our health service fit for the future, including shifting from treatment to prevention and from hospitals to communities. Ensuring health and care staff have the right knowledge and skills to provide informed care for people with a learning disability and autistic people will help to meet these goals and improve health outcomes.

The legislative requirement and the Code must be the catalyst for positive cultural change. With them we can help to deliver care and support that is tailored to the person, making sure that staff have the right attitudes, skills and behaviours to support people with a learning disability and autistic people safely, confidently and respectfully.