More on Oliver McGowan training

Hi readers, it’s Emily and Kerry here, with more thoughts on who must do the Oliver McGowan training. Essentially people in organisations registered with the CQC, providing personal care.

Today we’re focusing on other people we’d like to do it, but don’t have to. Those who support or work closely with people with a learning disability, like support workers not providing personal care, day providers, DWP assessors (PIP) etc. Maybe also those organisations that are profit-making, can pay their staff to do it?

We are both lucky. We have excellent support staff who help us with daily tasks and things like finances. They recognise if someone has a learning disability, how it affects us, and the support we need. That support for one person will not be the same as support for another.

We are grateful, as by hook or by crook, we’ve had loads of support and practice at speaking up for ourselves. We know what good and bad support looks like. So, if we don’t get good support, we’d not only recognise this, we know where to go, and who to talk to.

Unfortunately, many people with a learning disability don’t get support to speak up or understand their rights; don’t know the difference between good and bad support; and if they speak up, are not listened to.

We’d also like DWP assessors to get trained, as some just tick boxes when we’re asked questions in an assessment, not stopping to ask if someone understood that question. We know people, who when asked if they cook, said they can cook roasts, but in reality can’t use an oven. They are rightly proud, and don’t understand answers like that will negatively affect their benefits.

If you read this, and agree, we hope you’ll speak up about it too!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff