Where a first aid needs assessment identifies the necessity for an emergency first aider in the workplace, this 6-hour qualification meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982. 

The participant will gain the knowledge and practical competence required to deal with a wide range of workplace first aid situations. 

The qualification is also suitable for people with responsibility for the provision of first aid in other settings such as voluntary and community groups. 

The qualification is delivered, assessed, and quality assured adhering to the Assessment Principles for First Aid Qualifications, and delivered and assessed in accordance with the current Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The qualification is available to participants aged 14 or over but a participant cannot assume the responsibility of being a first aider in the workplace until they reach the age of 16. 

It is recommended that participants hold a minimum of level 1 in literacy or equivalent to undertake this qualification. 

It may be possible to grant a reasonable adjustment for a participant who has a disability, medical condition or learning need following Skills Shop’s Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy. For example, assistance could be given with reading or writing. 

Due to the practical nature of the first aid assessment there are physical demands. Particpants must be able to get to the floor unaided and successfully demonstrate all required elements of the practical assessment on their own, with the casualty on the floor, as in a real-life situation. For example, a participant will need to get to the floor unassisted and demonstrate effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a manikin at floor level. 

If a participant has any concerns they should contact their trainer / assessor to discuss before attending the course. 

QUALIFICATION DELIVERY 

The qualification has 6 assigned guided learning hours (GLH) and 7 hours total qualification time (TQT). 

GLH indicates the number of hours that the participant will undertake being taught or assessed by the trainer / assessor.

TQT includes GLH but also considers any unsupervised learning or preparation that a participant may undertake independently which could include self-study or the completion of set tasks. 

The course can be delivered in person over the duration of 1 day or over 3 sessions (each lasting 2 hours).

You may also choose to deliver the qualification as a blended course.  In this instance the blended (distance learning) may not exceed one third of the total guided learning hours i.e. 2 hours distance learning, 4 hours in person (1 session or 2 sessions lasting two hours).

The participant ratio for the qualification is a maximum of 12 participants to 1 trainer/assessor. 

QUALIFICATION VALIDITY 

The qualification is valid for three years from the date of achievement.
It is strongly recommended by the Health and Safety Executive that the participant attends annual refresher training. 

REQUALIFICATION

The HSE guidance states that on expiry of their qualification a first aider is no longer considered competent to act as a first aider in the workplace. It is advisable to arrange requalification before expiry to ensure that a workplace is not left with a shortfall of qualified first aiders. 

To prequalify participants will need to complete the full 6 hour course again.

Once a participants certificate has expired they are not legally allowed to administer first aid in the workplace.  We therefore recommend that participants requalify within 3 months of their expiry date to ensure they stay in date.

Where this falls within three months of the expiry date, the participants certificate can be backdated to the original date so no lost days result in re-qualifying early. 

QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT 

The qualification is assessed through practical demonstration. There is no grading of the assessment, participants pass or are referred. 

Practical assessment 

Scenarios are set recreating a real-life situation as far as possible to enable a participant to demonstrate their knowledge and practical skills. During the practical assessment the participant will be asked set related oral questions by the trainer/assessor. 

The practical assessment is ongoing throughout the course with the trainer/assessor making participants aware of when they are being assessed and what they are required to demonstrate. 

A participant must satisfactorily complete each scenario to pass the practical assessment. 

PROGRESSION

Participants who achieve this qualification could progress on to the Award in First Aid at Work or other first aid and related qualifications. Skills Shop also offer qualifications in health and safety including fire safety and manual handling, food safety, safeguarding, and first aid for mental health if a participant wanted to diversify. 

QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE 

The qualification consists of one unit which participants must successfully complete to achieve the qualification.