The latest guidance for first aid training
The First Aid Quality Partnership (FAQP) met on the 5th January 2021 to discuss the impact of the latest lockdown restrictions on the delivery of First Aid training. The key message resulting from this meeting was:
The provision of First Aid qualifications can continue to be delivered in line with existing COVID-secure guidelines.
The HSE were reassured that the industry will continue to be able to meet employer demand during lockdown in a COVID-secure way and will:
• approach each of the UK devolved administrations to clarify the position of First Aid training provision as part of each of their individual lockdowns. Training can continue, in line with existing COVID-secure guidelines, until they have received a response to their clarification.
• provide further clarification around the delivery of First Aid training to employers who are required to close during the lockdown (for example, universities, leisure centres etc.), taking into consideration the requirement to train first aiders to allow for safe opening once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Members of the FAQP will continue to monitor demand for first aid training and will flag if employers are not booking first aid training. This will be used to determine whether a further certification extension needs to be requested from the HSE.
FAW or EFAW certificates that expired after 16 March 2020 can remain valid until 31 October 2020 or 6 months from date of expiry, whichever is later. All requalification training for these certificates should be completed by 31 March 2021.
In relation to First Aid training – the HSE and DfE have not relaxed their rules on maintaining adequate first aid provision in the workplace. Therefore, whenever an employer needs to maintain mandatory first aid provision by sending a first aider on a relevant first aid training course (whether on furlough leave or not). IS-Training is continuing to deliver training courses during the lockdown period to those who require it as part of their job role at their work premises (with a COVID Risk Assessment being undertaken prior to the training taking place).
IS-Training is satisfied that, providing training is delivered in line with existing COVID-secure guidelines, training for Qualsafe Awards First Aid qualifications can continue.