All health and social care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) must now ensure that their staff receive training in how to interact appropriately with people who have a learning disability and autistic people, at a level appropriate to their role.
The new legal requirement was introduced by the Health and Care Act 2022 and a Code of Practice outlining the content, delivery and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is expected early next year.
In the interim, the CQC has produced statutory guidance until the Code of Practice is published.
Ensuring that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive the right care
The guidance states that during its assessments and inspections of providers, the CQC will regularly look to see if staff are working with people appropriately, and if not, it will consider what training and support has been provided to staff to ensure their understanding.
Following the introduction of this requirement, it will be looking to see whether staff have received such training and whether providers have assessed the competencies of their staff following training. It will not be looking at what the training itself has involved.
Debbie Ivanova, Director for People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People, said: “We welcome this important step taken by the government. By ensuring that staff in all services receive training appropriate to their role – whether in an acute hospital, dentist practice, GP surgery, or a place where people live – they will be able to further develop the skills to make sure that people with a learning disability and autistic people receive the right care.”
From: Alison Bloomer https://www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/
