Frequently Asked Questions

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are designed to help those delivering or quality assuring regulated First Aid qualifications, by using shared best practice and additional guidance when using and applying the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications and Delivery Standards for Regulated First Aid Qualifications.

Trainers

Q1) What is an ‘acceptable log’ of teaching First Aid within the last 3 years?

A Trainer should have delivered 1 First Aid at Work qualification within 6 months and 36 hours overall (6 x 6 hour days) of teaching First Aid within the last 3 years.

Q2) What is an ‘acceptable record’ of competently teaching theoretical and practical First Aid sessions under the supervision of a suitably qualified Trainer/Assessor?

A Trainer should hold a record of an observation, conducted within the previous 12 months, during which practical and theoretical topics were delivered competently for the following minimum duration:

  • New trainers – 6 hours (full day)
  • Experienced trainers – 4 hours

Q3) Can experienced First Aid Trainers skip the learning element of their FAW course when requalifying?

When requalifying, experienced First Aid Trainers have the option to advance straight to the FAW assessments. The pre-requisites for this process include:

The Trainer must provide evidence of teaching a regulated FAW qualification within the past 3 months of sitting the assessments
The Trainer must provide evidence of a satisfactory Internal Quality Assurance observation delivering a First Aid qualification within the past 12 months of sitting the assessments.

The assessments must be carried out by an approved and independent Assessor. The Centre must manage conflicts of interest in line with their Awarding Organisation/Bodies policies and procedures.

Q4) Do Trainers who also teach paediatric first aid need to have a valid paediatric first aid certificate?

No. However, It is strongly recommended that those who teach and assess paediatric first aid qualifications additionally take the paediatric first aid assessments when requalifying in first aid at work, in order to gain evidence/certification relevant to teaching paediatric first aid.

Note: Trainers who ‘only’ teach and assess paediatric first aid courses can either choose first aid at work or paediatric first aid for approval purposes.

Assessors

Q1) What is an ‘acceptable record’ of First Aid assessments conducted within the last 3 years?

An Assessor should have performed assessments on 6 First Aid courses in the past 3 years.

Q2) What is an ‘acceptable record’ of competently assessing theoretical and practical First Aid qualifications under the supervision of a suitably qualified Assessor?

An Assessor should hold a record of an observation, conducted within the previous 12 months, during which 4 practical and 1 theoretical assessment were delivered competently.

Q3) Is it acceptable for an Assessor to be ‘working towards’ a formal assessing qualification?  

Assessors may be working towards an assessor qualification deemed appropriate by the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications. Achievement of the qualification needs to be within appropriate timescales. Assessors who are working towards an appropriate assessor qualification and have the necessary occupational competence and experience (as identified in the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications) must be supported by an appropriately qualified Assessor. Any such arrangements should be agreed with the Awarding Organisation/Body and be monitored through the External Quality Assurance process.

Internal Quality Assurers

Q1) Is it acceptable for an IQA to be ‘working towards’ a formal assessing qualification?

IQAs may be working towards an IQA qualification deemed appropriate by the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications. Achievement of the qualification needs to be within appropriate timescales. IQAs who are working towards an appropriate IQA qualification and have the necessary occupational competence and experience (as identified in the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications) must be supported by an appropriately qualified IQA. Any such arrangements should be agreed with the Awarding Organisation/Body and be monitored through the External Quality Assurance process.

Delivery Standards

Q1) In 2015 the Resuscitation Council (UK) integrated AED use as a standard part of CPR. To what level should this be assessed?

It was agreed that an assessment in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) must include:

  • Places AED pads correctly; and
  • Follows AED instructions

It was agreed that the above is not designed to replace more in-depth AED training, but to give a first aider the confidence to use an AED if one is available. It was agreed that it is possible to include AED use to the above depth without adding further time to the qualification; therefore TQT will not be affected.

Q2) Can a 3 day First Aid at Work course be combined with a 2 day requalification course?
(e.g. learners on the requalification course just attend days 1 and 2)

No.

Internal/External Quality Assurance

Q1) How often should Internal Quality Assurance observations take place?

Most Awarding Organisations/Bodies implement a risk based approach to meeting regulatory requirements for quality assuring. In GIES3, the HSE do specify that each Trainer/Assessor should have at least one IQA monitoring visit per year, which was accepted as the minimum recommendation. Trainer/Assessors who are considered to be higher risk or who train/assess large numbers of learners are likely to need monitoring more frequently than this.

Qualification Equivalents

Occupational – First Aid at Work

Q1) Relating to the Assessment Principles for Regulated First Aid Qualifications, Appendix 1, for the purposes of acceptable occupational competence to teach and assess regulated first aid qualifications, which alternatives to the First Aid at Work qualification have been mapped?

Note: This list is specific for regulated Awarding Organisations/Bodies. Employers should follow HSE guidance on due diligence for the purposes of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

Awarding Organisations/Bodies have agreed to update this list as equivalents are mapped:

  • RLSS UK Qualifications Level 2 Award in Pool Lifeguarding, Intervention, Supervision, and Rescue
  • St John Ambulance First Aid at Work Certificate
  • St Andrew’s Ambulance First Aid at Work Certificate
  • British Red Cross First Aid at Work Certificate
  • Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (RQF)
  • Qualsafe Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (RQF)
  • Qualsafe Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (RQF)
  • FAQ Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene: Emergency First Responder
  • FAQ Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene: Ambulance Service Community Responder
  • FAQ Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene: Ambulance Service Co-Responder
  • FAQ Level 3 Certificate for Ambulance Service First Responders
  • FAQ Level 3 Award in Immediate Emergency Care: Fire and Rescue
  • FAQ Level 3 Certificate for First Responders on Scene
  • QNUK Level 3 Award for First Responders (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 3 Award for the First Person on Scene (International) (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 3 Award in Rescue Trauma and Casualty Care (RTACC) (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 3 Award in First Aid Trauma and Casualty Care (FTACC) (RQF)
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate for First Person on Scene
  • Pearson BTEC Level 4 Certificate for First Person on Scene
  • Pearson BTEC Level 4 Extended Certificate for First Person on Scene
  • Highfield Level 3 Award in First Aid Response (RQF)
  • Highfield Level 3 Award in Emergency Care for First Responders (RQF)
  • TQUK Level 3 Award for Initial Person on the Scene of an Incident (RQF)
  • STA Award in Pool Lifeguarding

  • SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in First Person on Scene Support