First Aid

 In general there are 5 courses that you may wish to consider

• First Aid at Work Course

This is a 3 day course (used to be a 4 day course until October 2009) and is recognised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Ofsted as a requirement for most schools.  This course trains the student in the basics of First Aid across a broad range of subjects and qualifies successful candidates as fully trained First Aiders.  HSE guidelines have deemed that there should be no more than 12 people loaded onto this course at a time.   Although this course is intended for employers to look after the First Aid needs of employees, it is perfectly acceptable to expect the First Aiders to look after the injuries and illnesses that befall pupils whilst on school business.

• Emergency First Aid at Work Course

This is a 1 day course and up until October 2009 was known as an Appointed Person’s course.  People that attend this course do not have the depth of knowledge gained by a fully trained First Aider, therefore their role is to supplement, not replace the First Aider.  People that have attended this course are useful for playground duty and general First Aid assistance.  HSE guidelines have deemed that there should be no more than 12 people loaded onto this course at a time.   

• Paediatric First Aid Course

Where schools look after pupils aged 5 and under, they must have a Paediatric First Aider on site.  The role of those attending this 2 day (or 12 hour) course is to tender to the First Aid needs of children aged 5 and under, therefore the training is specifically geared towards children of such an age group. Like the 3 day First Aid at Work course, this training is expected by both the HSE and Ofsted for ‘Carers’ looking after children aged 5 and under.  There is a 6 hour version of this course, but be aware that the HSE and Ofsted do not accept the 6 hour course as being sufficient.  HSE guidelines have deemed that there should be no more than 12 people loaded onto this course at a time.  

• Emergency Response

This is an informal course that can be offered by most First Aid training companies.  It is not regulated by the HSE and is not likely to be accepted by Ofsted as suitable training, unless you have sufficient First Aiders and/or Emergency First Aiders on site.  The course can cover just about anything to do with First Aid and lasts for anywhere between 2 – 3 hours.  It can be useful training for members of staff who wish to have a very basic idea of what to do in an emergency and as a first point of call prior to the arrival of a First Aider.  There is no restriction of numbers on this course.

• First Aid at Work Requalifier

This course is for those First Aiders who have reached the end of their 3 year qualification period.  The course lasts for 2 days and will refresh students on their First Aid duties as well as bringing them up to date with any changes in First Aid that have occurred over the 3 year period.  HSE guidelines have deemed that there should be no more than 12 people loaded onto this course at a time.

There is no definitive answer to this question.  It depends on the number of people you are looking after and also the spread of your environment (schools with annexes and parties away on educational visits being significant factors). 

As a rule of thumb, the HSE suggests that where schools are low hazard environments – most nurseries and primary schools could be classed as low hazard – you will need ‘At least 1 fully trained First Aider per 100 people’.

Where a school is classed as a higher hazard environment – schools conducting Science and D&T could fall into this bracket – then you should aim for ‘At least 1 fully trained First Aider per 50 people’.

Please feel free to call us now on 07963 461991 or contact us here for further information.