How long are course certificates valid for?
Due to the extensive variety of the courses available, the course certificates are valid with 1 or 3 years.
Most popular courses such as the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work or the Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work are valid for 3 years. The certificate validation period is available to view via the individual course pages.
Guidance from HSE
Certificate validity, requalification and refresher training:
74 All first-aid training certificates, whether FAW, EFAW or some other appropriate training, are valid for three years. Employers need to arrange retraining before certificates expire. The FAW requalification course lasts two days and should cover the same content as the initial FAW course (Appendix 5). If the first-aider does not retrain or requalify before the expiry date on their current certificate they are no longer considered competent to act as a first-aider in the workplace. They can requalify at any time after the expiry date by undertaking the two-day requalification course. However, it may be prudent to complete the three-day FAW course, especially where a considerable period – ie in excess of one month – has elapsed since the FAW certificate expired. It is for the employer to decide the most appropriate training course to requalify the first-aider. An EFAW requalification course should be of the same duration and content (Appendix 6) as the initial EFAW course.
How many first aiders do we need?
This is a popular question and there is no ‘one size that fits all’ answer.
By law to identify the first aid provisions specific to an individual workplace, an employer must conduct a risk assessment. First aid provision must be adequate and appropriate to the circumstances of a workplace. This means that the employer must always provide sufficient levels of equipment such as first aid kits, facilities and trained personnel.
Further information on first aid needs assessments can be found on official HSE guidance.
How do I determine the right first aid course?
Your workplace first aid needs/risk assessment will help identify the level of provision needed (i.e. the number of first aiders required). Once established the information identified by your workplace first aid needs/risk assessment will indicate the adequate number of first aiders and the course type specific to your organisation.
Which paediatric course is best for an early years setting?
As of the 1st September 2016, the department of education confirmed changes to the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), requiring newly qualified early years staff (with full and relevant level 2 or level 3 childcare qualification) to hold a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) or an Emergency PFA certificate and in line with the staff/ child ratio in an early years setting.
Further information on Paediatric first aid can be found on official HSE guidance.
Or NATIONAL MINIMUM STANDARDS WALES