In short
In effect, yes. The Oliver McGowan code of practice, final since 6 September 2025, says CQC-registered providers are responsible for ensuring staff undertake the training at least every 3 years, or sooner if someone needs it.
Tier 1 or Tier 2? Tier 2 if you may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability; Tier 1 if you need general awareness only.
How often · Which tier · CQC evidence · Common questions · Train with KCP
Completed the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training a while ago, or manage a team that did? The next question is when it has to be done again, and the final code of practice now answers it. For a first rollout, see our manager’s rollout guide.
What the law requires
Section 181 of the Health and Care Act 2022 added a duty to the Health and Social Care Act 2008: regulations must require service providers to ensure that each person working for them “receives training on learning disability and autism which is appropriate to the person’s role”. It has applied since 1 July 2022 to every CQC-registered provider of health and adult social care in England.
The CQC says this covers all services and settings, not just specialist ones, and all staff who may have contact with autistic people or people with a learning disability – including receptionists, kitchen staff and cleaners. The law names no course, but the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government’s preferred and recommended package, and the code says the government expects all health and care staff to undertake one of its two tiers.
Is the code of practice still a draft?
No. The code was laid before Parliament on 19 June 2025, and GOV.UK states: “The code became final on 6 September 2025.” The CQC gives the same commencement date. The GOV.UK web address still contains the word “draft”, but the document is final. The CQC must take it into account when judging whether staff training meets regulation 18, and a provider that departs from it is expected to give good reasons.
How often does Oliver McGowan training need refreshing?
The code answers this directly: “Registered providers are responsible for ensuring that their staff undertake training on learning disability and autism at least every 3 years or more regularly if a member of staff requires it.” It adds that Oliver’s Training “is designed to be re-taken at least every 3 years or more regularly if needed” – for example after a change of role, a promotion or a move to another team. NHS England agrees.
- Three years is a maximum. Providers must spot when someone needs the training sooner and support them to do it – for example by releasing them from work and giving them access to a computer and the internet.
- The content is kept current. NHS England launched updated Tier 2 materials on 29 September 2026, to be brought into training over the following months.
- It moves with staff. Because the training is standardised, the code says staff who change employers need no additional training “until the 3-year time limit is reached”. NHS England advises keeping a record of your training as proof.
Record the completion date of both parts for each person, so the next round can be booked well before three years are up.
Tier 1 or Tier 2: which do you need?
The tiers depend on what the role involves, not the job title:
- Tier 1 is for people who require a general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need.
- Tier 2 is for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability. The code’s list includes registered managers, team leaders, care assistants, support workers, and students and trainees.
The code’s examples help in care settings. Care home staff are likely to need Tier 2 capabilities, as are the people who make decisions about the home; staff who do not meet the public, such as laundry or garden staff, may only need Tier 1. In a domiciliary care agency, all staff who have contact with the public are likely to need Tier 2.
The employer decides, and NHS England publishes tier guidance to help. Tier 2 contains the Tier 1 material, so staff who need Tier 2 do not need to complete Tier 1 first. Some roles may need training beyond Tier 2, which the employer must decide on and provide. Our rollout guide covers mapping a whole team.
How the e-learning and live parts fit together
Both tiers have two parts, and both must be completed:
- Part 1, for everyone: an e-learning module of at least 90 minutes, with a handbook, on the elearning for healthcare hub. NHS England says it is free for anyone in the UK.
- Tier 1, Part 2: a live, one-hour interactive online session led by a facilitator with at least one person with a learning disability and one autistic person. NHS England says it can also be run face to face.
- Tier 2, Part 2: a face-to-face day in two sessions, learning disability then autism, each delivered in person by a facilitator and a trainer who has a learning disability or is autistic. Online or hybrid delivery is not suitable, but the day can be split across more than one day.
NHS England says both parts should ideally be completed within a few days of each other, and recommends repeating Part 1 if as long as six months passes before Part 2.
How to evidence it to the CQC
The CQC does not prescribe a course, but it will look at training records and at how you make sure trained staff are competent and putting the learning into practice. Its regulation 18 guidance expects supervision that keeps staff competent in understanding the needs of autistic people and people with a learning disability, and the code says providers must assess learning after training. A useful record shows, for each person:
- their role, assigned tier and the reason for that decision
- the Part 1 completion date and certificate
- the Part 2 date, tier and who delivered it
- when the next round is due – no later than three years on
- supervision notes showing the learning in use
If you decide someone does not need the training, the CQC expects you to show “a record of how you’ve reached that decision” if asked. For agency staff, NHS England says the employer and the agency need to agree who provides the training. Check trainers against NHS England’s approved trainer list. Where staff are still waiting, the CQC says it will check what you have done to reduce risks and ask about your plans. See also evidencing staff training at inspection and our mandatory training checklist.
Oliver McGowan refresher FAQs
Does Oliver McGowan training expire?
In effect, yes. The law itself sets no time limit, but the Oliver McGowan code of practice, final since 6 September 2025, says providers are responsible for ensuring staff undertake the training at least every 3 years, or more often if needed – for example after a change of role.
Do I need to redo Oliver McGowan training if I change employer?
Not straight away. Because Oliver’s Training is standardised, the code of practice says staff who change employers do not need additional training until the 3-year time limit is reached. Keep a record of your training as proof; your new employer must still check whether your role means you need it sooner.
Do I need Oliver McGowan Tier 1 or Tier 2?
Tier 2 if you may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability, which includes care assistants, support workers, team leaders and registered managers. Tier 1 if you only need general awareness. Your employer decides, and Tier 2 includes the Tier 1 material.
Is Oliver McGowan training mandatory for care homes?
The duty to train is. Since 1 July 2022 every CQC-registered care home in England must ensure staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. The law names no course, but Oliver’s Training is the government’s preferred and recommended package, and the code of practice says care home staff are likely to need Tier 2 capabilities.
Where can I do Oliver McGowan Tier 2 near me?
Tier 2 includes a face-to-face training day, co-delivered by trainers with lived experience. KCP Training & Recruitment is on NHS England’s Oliver McGowan Training Provider List and delivers Tier 2 training at our Liverpool training centre (73A Allerton Road, L18 2DA), in London, on site, or at your preferred date and location anywhere in England, which our office confirms.
Key takeaways
- Since 1 July 2022, CQC-registered providers must ensure staff get learning disability and autism training suited to their role.
- The Oliver McGowan code of practice became final on 6 September 2025.
- Staff should undertake the training at least every 3 years, or sooner if needed.
- Tier 2 for anyone who may provide care and support; Tier 1 for general awareness.
- Keep dated records of both parts, tier decisions and next due dates.
Sources
Oliver McGowan training with KCP
KCP Training & Recruitment is on NHS England’s Oliver McGowan Training Provider List. We deliver Tier 2 and Train the Facilitating Trainer, and can help your team with Tier 1 – at our Liverpool training centre, in London, on site, or at your preferred date and location anywhere in England, which our office confirms. Questions? Call 0151 305 9969.