Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism

The Care Certificate standard on learning disability and autism requires the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. What is the main purpose of this training?

• ATo train health and social care staff to diagnose autism and learning disabilities so that they can make referrals themselves without a specialist
• BTo qualify health and social care staff as autism specialists who are able to take over the whole role of a specialist diagnostic team
• CTo give health and social care staff the right knowledge and skills to support autistic people and people with a learning disability✓
• DTo replace all other Care Certificate standards

Answer: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training is the government's preferred and recommended training to ensure the health and social care workforce has the right skills and knowledge to provide safe, compassionate and informed care to autistic people and people with a learning disability. It is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for better training.

What does the social model of disability state?

• ADisabled people should be cared for in separate settings away from the rest of society
• BPeople are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference✓
• CDisability is caused only by a person's medical condition or impairment
• DDisability cannot be reduced by any changes to the environment

Answer: The social model of disability says that people are disabled by barriers in society - such as inaccessible buildings, negative attitudes, or a lack of reasonable adjustments - rather than by their impairment or difference. Removing these barriers promotes inclusion and equality.

What is a "reasonable adjustment" when supporting an autistic person or a person with a learning disability?

• AA change to remove or reduce a barrier so the person can access care and services on an equal basis✓
• BAn adjustment only made if the person formally complains
• CA change that is too expensive and so can be ignored
• DA temporary change that must be reversed after one visit

Answer: Reasonable adjustments are changes that remove or reduce barriers so disabled people can access services on an equal basis with others - for example, longer appointments, easy-read information, or a quieter environment. They are a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010.

An autistic person you support finds spoken instructions overwhelming. Which approach best supports their communication needs?

• AAvoid communicating with them to prevent distress
• BRepeat exactly the same spoken instruction more loudly on each occasion until the person eventually responds to you
• CAsk a colleague to give the instructions instead
• DUse clear, simple language and consider visual aids, easy-read or extra processing time, tailored to the person✓

Answer: Good communication is person-centred. Using clear, simple language, allowing extra processing time, and offering visual supports or easy-read formats can help an autistic person understand and be understood. You should adapt to each individual's preferred communication methods.

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, how should you approach the capacity of a person with a learning disability to consent to care?

• AThe Mental Capacity Act does not apply to people with a learning disability, so consent is not needed from them
• BAssume they have capacity unless it is shown otherwise, and assess capacity for each specific decision✓
• CAssume that they always lack capacity to consent, on the grounds that they have a diagnosed learning disability
• DAlways ask a family member to decide on their behalf

Answer: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 starts from the presumption that every adult has capacity. A learning disability or autism does not, by itself, mean a person lacks capacity. Capacity is decision-specific and must be assessed for each decision, with all practicable support given to help the person decide for themselves.