Autism Awareness

Course Overview

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, processes sensory information, experiences social interaction, and makes sense of the world around them. It is not an illness. It is not something to be fixed. And it looks completely different from one person to the next.

That last point is where a lot of well-meaning support falls down. Staff who have encountered one or two autistic people sometimes assume they understand autism. They do not always recognise sensory overload when they see it. They misread distress as behaviour. They interpret a need for routine as awkwardness or non-compliance. And the person they are supporting pays the price for that gap in understanding.

Autism Awareness Training gives learners a grounded, practical, and genuinely respectful understanding of autism. Not the tick-box version. The kind that actually changes how people show up at work.

This course aligns with the principles of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, supporting Tier 1 knowledge and awareness requirements as defined by NHS England. It reflects current best practice guidance from the National Autistic Society and sits within the broader legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010, under which autism is a recognised protected characteristic.

Course Details

  • Duration: Half day or full day
  • Delivery: In-person at your venue, or live online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams
  • Certificate: CPD-accredited certificate of achievement in Autism Awareness
  • Refresher: Every 1 to 3 years, depending on role, level of contact with autistic individuals, and organisational policy
  • Group size: Flexible for team training

Who This Course Is For

This course is right for anyone who supports, works alongside, or makes decisions affecting autistic people, including:

  • Care assistants and support workers in care homes, supported living, and domiciliary care
  • Personal Assistants working with an Individual Employer
  • Health professionals and allied health staff
  • Education staff and SEN support teams
  • Managers and supervisors responsible for autistic staff or service users
  • Volunteers, unpaid carers, and family members seeking a more structured understanding

No prior knowledge of autism is needed.

Why This Training Matters

Autistic people face significant and well-documented barriers when accessing health, social care, and support services. Many of those barriers are not structural. They come from staff who do not understand what they are seeing.

Sensory overload is misread as aggression. A meltdown is treated as a behavioural problem. A need for clear, literal communication met with vague reassurances that create more anxiety, not less. These are not rare edge cases. They happen in care homes, GP surgeries, hospitals, schools, and community services every day.

The Autism Act 2009 was the first disability-specific legislation in England and placed a duty on the Secretary of State to produce and review an autism strategy. The most recent iteration, the England Autism Strategy, runs from 2021 to 2026 and sets clear expectations around improving understanding and reducing health inequalities for autistic people across all ages.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training exists because the gap between intention and practice has cost lives. Named after Oliver McGowan, who died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family’s wishes, this training is now a statutory requirement for health and social care staff in England under the Health and Care Act 2022.

This course supports Tier 1 of that framework. It does not replace Tier 2 training where that is required.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the session, learners will be able to:

  • Explain what autism is, how it presents differently across individuals, and why identity-first language matters
  • Recognise common characteristics associated with autism, including differences in communication, social interaction, and sensory processing
  • Understand sensory differences and how the environment can support or undermine an autistic person’s wellbeing
  • Recognise behaviour as a form of communication, and respond accordingly rather than reactively
  • Communicate more effectively with autistic people, including adapting language, tone, and approach
  • Apply person-centred, strengths-based support that respects the individual’s preferences, routines, and needs
  • Make reasonable adjustments in day-to-day practice in line with obligations under the Equality Act 2010
  • Challenge assumptions, stereotypes, and unhelpful myths about autism

Course Content

Content is adapted to your setting and team, but typically covers:

  • What autism is and what it is not: addressing the most persistent misconceptions
  • Autism as a spectrum: understanding individual differences and moving beyond stereotypes
  • The social model of disability and what it means in practice
  • Identity-first language and why it matters to the autistic community
  • Communication styles and preferences: literal language, processing time, and alternative communication
  • Sensory processing differences and sensory overload: causes, signs, and practical responses
  • Behaviour as communication: understanding distress, anxiety, and meltdown without judgment
  • Common triggers for anxiety and distress, and how environments can be adjusted to reduce them
  • Person-centred support, reasonable adjustments, and promoting independence and choice
  • The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training framework: Tier 1 and Tier 2 explained
  • How autism awareness supports safer, more inclusive care and reduces health inequalities

Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: What You Need to Know

Since the Health and Care Act 2022 came into force, all Care Quality Commission-registered providers are required to ensure their staff complete Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. This applies to all staff, regardless of role.

The training has two tiers:

Tier 1 is awareness-level training, appropriate for all staff who may have any contact with autistic people or people with a learning disability. This course meets the Tier 1 standard.

Tier 2 is a more detailed, interactive programme developed by NHS England and delivered by autistic people and people with a learning disability as co-trainers. It is required for staff who provide direct care or support. This course does not replace Tier 2.

If you are unsure which tier applies to your team, or whether your existing training meets the statutory requirement, we are happy to advise. CQC is actively checking compliance with this requirement during inspections.

How the Course Is Delivered

Sessions are practical, reflective, and built around real care and support situations. The aim is not just awareness in the abstract but a change in how staff think and respond in their actual role.

Delivery includes:

  • Clear explanation of autism grounded in current understanding and autistic voices
  • Discussion of real scenarios drawn from health, social care, and community settings
  • Reflective exercises that challenge assumptions and encourage honest self-examination
  • Practical strategies staff can apply immediately in their working day
  • Time for questions, because the nuanced stuff often only comes out in conversation

Certification and Validity

On completion, learners receive a CPD-accredited certificate of achievement in Autism Awareness.

A refresher is recommended every 1 to 3 years, depending on role, level of contact with autistic people, and organisational policy. Providers with CQC registration should also ensure this training is documented and auditable as part of their Oliver McGowan compliance evidence.

In-House and Bespoke Training

We adapt delivery to your setting, your team, and the autistic people you support.

We can build content around:

  • The specific characteristics and needs of autistic individuals in your service
  • Your existing policies, care standards, and documentation
  • Education or SEN settings requiring a different emphasis than health and social care
  • Oliver McGowan Tier 1 compliance for your workforce, with clear documentation to support inspection readiness
  • Combined delivery with Learning Disability Awareness for a fuller programme

Course Location and Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue across Manchester, Greater Manchester, and the wider North West. We also deliver nationally, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

For teams in multiple locations or with remote workers, this course is available live online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with no drop in quality or interaction.

All sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors. Every trainer holds an Enhanced DBS certificate.

FAQs

Is this course aligned with the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training?

Yes. This course meets the Tier 1 awareness requirements of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, as defined by NHS England. It is appropriate for all staff who may have any contact with autistic people or people with a learning disability.

Does this course replace Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training?

No. Tier 2 is a distinct, NHS England-developed programme that must be delivered by co-trainers who are autistic or have a learning disability. It is a statutory requirement for staff who provide direct care or support. This course supports Tier 1. If you need to understand what Tier 2 provision looks like for your workforce, we can point you in the right direction.

Is autism a disability under UK law?

Yes. Autism is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, meaning employers and service providers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. This course covers what that means in practice.

Should I use “autistic person” or “person with autism”?

The majority of autistic people in the UK prefer identity-first language: “autistic person” rather than “person with autism.” This reflects the view that autism is a core part of who someone is, not something separate from them. We use identity-first language throughout our training, while acknowledging that individual preferences vary and should always be respected.

Can this be delivered as part of a wider learning disability and autism programme?

Yes. This course pairs naturally with our Learning Disability Awareness training and can be delivered as a combined programme. Many care providers find this a practical way to address both areas of the Oliver McGowan requirement within a single training day.

Will this training satisfy our CQC inspection requirements?

This course meets the Tier 1 standard of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, which CQC inspectors are checking for under the Health and Care Act 2022. You will receive CPD-accredited certificates for all learners, which are suitable for inclusion in your training records. Tier 2 must be addressed separately for staff providing direct care.

Related Courses

You may also be interested in:

Book or Enquire

To book Autism Awareness Training or request a quote for your team, use the enquiry form on this page or contact us directly.

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, all courses reflect current UK guidance and best practice.

All trainers are experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and ongoing CPD. Because many of the organisations we support work with vulnerable individuals, all trainers hold Enhanced DBS checks.

This course is reviewed against updates from NHS England, the National Autistic Society, the Care Quality Commission, and current UK legislation and guidance, including the Health and Care Act 2022 and the Equality Act 2010.

You can read more on our Quality Assurance and Compliance page.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin, Owner and Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training 25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer | Last reviewed: April 2026 | Next review: April 2027

This page is for general guidance only and reflects UK legislation and best practice current at the date of review. It does not constitute legal advice. Providers should satisfy themselves that their training arrangements meet their specific CQC registration and statutory compliance obligations. Oliver McGowan Tier 2 requirements must be addressed separately and cannot be met by this course. Prima Cura Training accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of this content alone.

< back

Enquire about Autism Awareness