Healthcare Training Requirements: Autism and Learning Disability Compliance
Providing care for individuals with autism and special needs requires more than just a basic understanding—it’s about mastering the skills and knowledge that enables your organisation to communicate effectively, adapt to individual needs, and deliver a personalised care service with confidence.
This guide outlines the essential training requirements that will help your corporation to stay compliant with regulations.
Understanding Your Legal Requirements
Under the Health and Care Act 2022, all healthcare organisations must ensure their staff receive training to support individuals with learning disabilities and autism. This includes all roles that may come into contact with these individuals, from frontline care staff to administrative and support teams.
The goal is to create a safe, respectful, and fully inclusive environment while meeting Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.
What Training Does Your Healthcare Organisation Need?
Every role in healthcare requires different levels of training to ensure proper care and understanding. The training should be role-specific.
- Direct Care Staff (Nurses, Doctors, Therapists): An understanding of autism and learning disabilities, effective communication, person-centred care, safeguarding and protection.
- Support and Ancillary Staff (Receptionists, Cleaners, Kitchen Staff): Basic awareness of autism and learning disabilities, sensory needs and environmental adaptations, respectful and inclusive interactions.
Ensuring Compliance with Training Standards
To meet the mandatory training requirements, healthcare organisations should take the following steps:
Review Current Autism Training Programs
Are they up-to-date? Do they address the unique needs of individuals with autism and learning disabilities? Does your training incorporate lived experience?
Implement the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Package
The government’s recommended option to help healthcare providers meet requirements. It’s designed to help staff understand complex needs and how to provide support with confidence.
Ongoing Monitoring and Support
Regular supervision and assessment should be followed up after training to ensure skills are being used effectively. Make sure your team has the opportunity to refresh their knowledge regularly!
Why Does This Matter?
Training requirements cover these three main areas:
Improving Care Quality
When your staff are well-trained, the quality of care provided to individuals with autism and learning disabilities improves.
Ensuring Inclusivity
Training helps create an environment where everyone—regardless of their needs—can feel respected and understood.
Meeting Regulatory Standards
Compliance with the law avoids the risk of penalties, patient neglect and ensures that your staff provide care that meets the required standards.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will monitor whether your staff have received the required training. If not, you could face: investigation and corrective action, possible fines and penalties and also scrutiny of your compliance, on care, safeguarding, and training records.
Next Steps for Your Organisation
- Assess Your Current Training Needs: Identify gaps in your existing training programs.
- Implement the Oliver McGowan Training: Consider adopting this package to ensure staff are meeting CQC requirements.
- Monitor and Improve: Regularly evaluate staff training effectiveness and update programs where needed.
Training with Expert Support
Supporting individuals with autism and learning disabilities is not just a legal requirement— it’s a step toward better care and inclusivity.
For more help with navigating these changes, please contact our team.
Email sales@cba-training.co.uk
We offer expert-led training programs, including the upcoming Oliver McGowan mandatory training, to help your healthcare team stay compliant and maintain exceptional care. Explore our care training courses.