Oliver McGowan Tier 2 Training Manchester | NHS England
Statutory Requirement
Why Oliver McGowan Training Matters
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the serious consequences that can follow when health and social care professionals do not adequately understand learning disability, autism, communication needs and reasonable adjustments. Tier 2 goes beyond general awareness: it helps staff apply what they learn to real situations in their own services.
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Health and Care Act 2022
Since 1 July 2022, CQC-registered health and social care providers in England must ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism that is appropriate to their role.
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Code of Practice
The final Oliver McGowan Code of Practice, in force since September 2025, sets standards for training content and delivery and names this programme as the government's preferred and recommended package.
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NHS England Approved Provider
PLAB Guide Training Centre is an approved provider of Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, delivering Tier 1 and Tier 2 in Manchester for individuals, employers and NHS organisations.
Choosing the Right Tier
Tier 1 or Tier 2 — Which Do I Need?
TIER 1
General Awareness
For staff who need a general awareness of learning disability and autism and the support people may need, but who do not provide direct care or make decisions about care.
TIER 2 — THIS COURSE
Direct Care & Higher Autonomy
For staff who:
The appropriate tier should always reflect the individual's role and responsibilities. If you are unsure, check with your employer or email training@plabguide.co.uk.
How It Works
Tier 2 Course Structure
Part 1 — Mandatory E-Learning (before you attend)
Complete the official Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training e-learning module on NHS England's e-Learning for Healthcare platform. It provides the foundation knowledge needed before the classroom session, and the Code of Practice requires it before the live training. Please bring or send your completion certificate.
Part 2 — Full-Day Face-to-Face Workshop in Manchester
A one-day, in-person, interactive workshop at our Levenshulme centre. The focus is on applying knowledge to real practice — communication, reasonable adjustments, diagnostic overshadowing and decision-making — rather than theory alone.
Co-delivered with Experts with Lived Experience
The perspectives of autistic people and people with a learning disability stay central to every session.
Programme
What You Will Learn
Understanding Learning Disability
How a learning disability may affect communication, understanding information, decision-making, independence and access to healthcare — seeing the individual, not the diagnosis.
Understanding Autism
Communication differences, sensory processing, anxiety, predictability and routine, different ways of expressing distress, and avoiding stereotypes.
Communication
Clear, direct language, extra processing time, checking understanding, visual aids, recognising non-verbal communication and working well with families and carers.
Reasonable Adjustments
Longer appointments, reduced sensory stimulation, accessible information, preparing people for procedures, and support from familiar carers — and what you can change in your own workplace.
Diagnostic Overshadowing
When new symptoms are wrongly attributed to a learning disability or autism — and how clinical curiosity prevents delayed diagnosis, missed deterioration and avoidable harm.
Health Inequalities
Barriers to accessing services, assumptions about quality of life, fragmented care, and the importance of advocacy and appropriate escalation.
Mental Capacity & Best Interests
Presumption of capacity, supported and decision-specific decision-making, best-interest decisions, and involving the person as fully as possible, in line with the Mental Capacity Act.
Hospital Passports & Accessible Information
Using hospital and communication passports, health action plans, easy-read information and reasonable-adjustment records to understand each person's needs.
Applying Learning to Your Role
What would you do differently? Which barriers exist in your service? What changes can your team make after the course? You leave with practical actions, not just awareness.
Audience
Who Should Complete Tier 2?
Tier 2 is for staff who provide direct treatment, care or support to autistic people or people with a learning disability, and for professionals working with a higher degree of autonomy. Learners on our Manchester courses typically include:
For Employers
Who We Can Train
We deliver Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training for individual learners and for whole teams across Manchester and Greater Manchester. Group bookings and on-site training can be arranged around your organisation's requirements and trainer availability.
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NHS Trusts
Acute, community and mental health services.
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Healthcare Centres
GP practices, primary care and independent healthcare providers.
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Care Providers
Care homes, domiciliary care and supported-living services.
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Corporate Organisations
Charities, social care and education or specialist-support services.
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Training Organisations
Providers needing Tier 2 delivery for their learners.
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Individuals
Self-funding professionals, students and the general public.
At a Glance
Course Details
Format
E-learning + Classroom
Online module first, then face-to-face.
Duration
1 Full Day
Face-to-face, after the e-learning.
Validity
3-Year Cycle
Under NHS portability arrangements; employers may set their own refresher rules.
Location
Manchester M19
308 Moseley Road, Levenshulme. Free dedicated and nearby on-road parking.
Completion Requirements
✅ Complete the mandatory Oliver McGowan e-learning before attending
✅ Attend the full face-to-face Tier 2 training day
✅ Take part in the interactive learning activities
✅ Complete any pre- and post-course evaluation
Learners who have not completed the required e-learning may not be able to take part in or complete the Tier 2 programme.
Available Dates
Book Oliver McGowan Tier 2 in Manchester
Please complete the required Oliver McGowan e-learning before attending your Tier 2 face-to-face session.
Oliver McGowan training dates in Manchester
Next course Starts in 4 days
Tuesday 29 September 2026
30 places available
£85
Reserve a placeChoosing a date takes you straight to booking with that date selected.
Training a team or whole organisation?
Ask about group bookings at our Manchester centre or on-site delivery at your premises.
Frequently asked questions
What is Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training?
Oliver McGowan Tier 2 is the higher level of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. It combines a mandatory e-learning module with a full-day, face-to-face session co-delivered with Experts with Lived Experience. It is for health and social care staff who provide direct treatment, care or support.
Who needs Oliver McGowan Tier 2 rather than Tier 1?
Tier 2 is for staff who provide direct care or support, make decisions affecting care, make reasonable adjustments, assess capacity or best interests, or manage and supervise care. Tier 1 is for staff who only need general awareness. Your tier should reflect your role and responsibilities.
Is Oliver McGowan training a legal requirement?
Under the Health and Care Act 2022, CQC-registered health and social care providers in England must make sure their staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role. The Oliver McGowan programme is the government's preferred and recommended package for meeting this requirement.
How long is the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 course in Manchester?
You complete the e-learning module online before attending. The face-to-face part is one full day at PLAB Guide Training Centre, 308 Moseley Road, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2LH.
Do I need to complete the e-learning before the face-to-face day?
Yes. The official Oliver McGowan e-learning on NHS England's e-Learning for Healthcare platform must be completed before you attend. Learners who have not completed it may not be able to take part in or complete the Tier 2 programme.
Who delivers the training?
Each session is led by a trained facilitating trainer alongside an Expert with Lived Experience of learning disability and an Expert with Lived Experience of autism.
How long is Oliver McGowan training valid for?
Under current NHS statutory and mandatory training portability arrangements, Oliver McGowan training is recognised on a three-year cycle. Your employer may set its own refresher requirements.
Can you deliver Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training for our organisation?
Yes. We offer group bookings at our Manchester centre and on-site training for NHS organisations, care providers, GP practices, charities and other employers across Greater Manchester. Email training@plabguide.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Is there parking at the training centre?
Yes. There is free dedicated parking and nearby on-road parking at our Levenshulme centre.