Your manager mentions that you need to complete Tier 2 training. Maybe you have already done Tier 1 online, and now you are not sure what comes next, how long it takes, or where to book it. If you work in care in London, this is a common point of confusion, and it is easy to sort out once you know how the two tiers fit together.
Where This Training Comes From
Oliver McGowan training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young man with autism and a learning disability who died after receiving medication that was not right for him. His family campaigned for health and care staff to be better trained, and the government’s standard training on learning disability and autism now carries his name.
The aim is simple. Staff should understand how autistic people and people with a learning disability experience care, and they should know how to change their approach so the person is safe, heard, and treated with respect.
The Two Tiers in Plain Words
The training has two tiers, and the right one depends on your role.
Tier 1 is for staff who need general awareness. It covers the basics of what autism and learning disability are, and how to communicate respectfully. It is usually done as e-learning.
Tier 2 is for staff who may need to provide care or support to autistic people and people with a learning disability. It goes further and focuses on what to do in real situations. Tier 2 normally includes the e-learning part plus a live interactive session, which can be held online or in person.
If your job involves hands-on care, support work, nursing, or working closely with patients and service users, Tier 2 is usually the one that applies to you. Always check with your employer, because they decide which tier fits each role.
What Tier 2 Actually Covers
The live session is where the learning becomes practical. Topics normally include how to spot when someone is becoming distressed, how to adjust your communication, how sensory issues such as noise, bright lights, or crowded rooms can affect someone, and how to make reasonable adjustments in daily care.
One important feature is that the session is co-delivered. Autistic people and people with a learning disability help lead the training alongside a professional trainer. Hearing real experiences from the people receiving care tends to stay with learners far longer than a slide or a checklist.
A Real Situation Where This Matters
Picture a care assistant on a busy ward in London. A patient who is autistic becomes very upset in a noisy bay and starts to withdraw. Without training, it is easy to read this as the patient being difficult or refusing care.
Someone who has done Tier 2 is more likely to see the noise and crowding as the cause. They might ask to move the patient to a quieter spot, slow down their speech, and explain each step before touching anything. A small change like this can turn a distressing moment into a calm one.
Finding Training in London
Care teams in London often have staff on different shifts, which makes booking a single date tricky. That is why many managers look for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in London that can be arranged for a whole team, so everyone completes it together and the home or service stays properly staffed.
Group sessions also help staff learn from each other. People raise real examples from their own workplace, and the team leaves with the same shared understanding.
Looking for Something Close to You
Plenty of care workers type Oliver McGowan Tier 2 near me into a search, usually because they want a date that does not mean a long journey after a shift. It is worth asking any provider where the live session takes place, whether it is online or in person, and how many places are available before you commit.
Booking early helps. Sessions can fill up when employers set deadlines for their staff, so leaving it to the last week is a common mistake.
Training Beyond This One Course
Oliver McGowan training is one piece of a wider set of required courses for care staff, such as safeguarding, infection control, and moving and handling. If you manage a team, it helps to look at all of your mandatory training courses UK in one place, so you can see who is up to date and who is due a refresher.
A simple tracking sheet with each person’s course and renewal date can save a lot of stress before an inspection.
What to Check Before You Book
Before you book, ask a few simple questions. Is the session delivered in line with the national standard? Is it co-delivered with people who have lived experience? Do learners get a certificate afterwards? And can the provider explain which tier your staff actually need?
A provider who answers clearly is usually one who knows the content well. Be careful with anyone who is vague about the tier or the format.
Setting Realistic Expectations
One course will not make anyone an expert, and it should not be treated as a box to tick. The real change happens when staff use what they learned on shift, ask autistic people and people with a learning disability about their needs, and keep thinking about small adjustments. Good training gives people a starting point and the confidence to keep improving.
Shreeji Training offers short courses for care and health staff, including mandatory training and Oliver McGowan training. The courses are built around real care situations and written in plain language, so staff can use what they learn straight away.
FAQs
1.Who needs to complete Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training?
Tier 2 is usually for staff who may provide care or support to autistic people and people with a learning disability, but your employer decides which tier fits your role.
2.Do I have to do Tier 1 before Tier 2?
Tier 2 builds on Tier 1, and many learners complete the e-learning first, so check how your provider arranges the order.
3.How long does Tier 2 take?
It normally includes an e-learning part and a live session that runs for most of a day, though exact timings depend on the provider.
4.Is the live session online or in person?
It can be either, so ask the provider which format they offer and which suits your team better.
5.Will I get a certificate after completing the training?
Yes, learners normally receive a certificate that can be kept in their training record and shown to their employer.
6.How often do I need to repeat the training?
Guidance on refreshers can change, so ask your employer or provider what the current requirement is for your role.
Get in Touch
If you are trying to work out which tier you need or want to arrange a session for your team in London, it is worth asking before you book.
Shreeji Training
Website: https://shreejitraining.com
Email: marketing@shreejitraining.com
Phone: +44 (0) 208 596 5047
