Quality First Aid Training; Why it's important for your business

Face-to-face, blended learning, open courses or onsite group training: there are several options when it comes to first aid training. Prices, course formats and training providers can vary, so how do you know you're choosing the right course for your business?

Time away from work and training budgets are important considerations. However, choosing a course based on price or convenience alone could mean overlooking factors that matter to your organisation.

Quality first aid training should do more than provide a certificate. It should help learners develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to respond when someone becomes injured or unwell.

So, what should you look for when choosing a first aid training provider, and why is quality training so important?

Why is quality first aid training important?

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 place duties on employers to provide adequate and appropriate first aid provision for their employees.

The level of provision required depends on the needs of the workplace. Employers should assess their first aid requirements, taking account of factors such as workplace hazards, the number of employees, working patterns and the nature of their activities.

However, first aid training shouldn't be viewed simply as a health and safety requirement or a box to tick.

When someone is injured or ill, a confident and competent first aider can make a big difference. They may be able to provide immediate assistance, help prevent a situation from worsening and support the casualty until professional medical help arrives.

Quality training can also help first aiders recognise emergencies, understand their responsibilities and respond more calmly under pressure.

For employers, investing in appropriate training helps support a positive workplace safety culture and gives staff the opportunity to develop skills that could be valuable both at work and in everyday life.

What does quality first aid training look like?

Choosing a first aid training provider requires a little research. The cheapest course or the option that takes the least time away from work isn't necessarily the best fit for your organisation.

Here are some important things to consider.

1. Is the training appropriate for your workplace?

The right course depends on your organisation's first aid needs.

For example, an office with relatively low-risk activities may have different requirements from a manufacturing site, construction business or organisation working with young children.

Employers should carry out a first aid needs assessment to help determine the appropriate level of training and the number of first aiders required.

Common workplace courses include:

·       First Aid at Work: Covers a broader range of injuries and illnesses and is generally suited to workplaces where a more comprehensive level of first aid provision is needed.

·       Emergency First Aid at Work: Focuses on dealing with workplace emergencies and is often suitable for lower-risk environments where the assessment identifies this level of provision as appropriate.

·       Paediatric First Aid (12 hours): Designed for people caring for babies and children, including those working in relevant early years settings.

These are not interchangeable qualifications. Employers should choose training that meets their assessed needs and any applicable industry or setting-specific requirements.

2. Does the course meet the relevant requirements?

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their chosen provider is competent to deliver the training they need.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) no longer approves general workplace first aid training providers. Instead, its guidance helps employers assess a provider's competence and suitability.

When researching a provider, look at whether the course content meets the relevant requirements, whether the trainer and assessor have appropriate qualifications, how learning is assessed and what quality assurance arrangements are in place.

For paediatric first aid, additional requirements may apply. For example, early years providers in England must follow the relevant Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, including those relating to paediatric first aid qualifications.

Rather than relying on a provider's marketing claims alone, ask questions if you're unsure whether a course meets your organisation's needs.

3. Does the training include practical learning and assessment?

Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is important, but being able to put that knowledge into practice is equally valuable.

Good first aid training gives learners opportunities to practise relevant skills, receive feedback from a qualified, experienced instructor and demonstrate their competence.

Depending on the course, this could include practising CPR on a manikin, using an automated external defibrillator (AED), managing choking or responding to common workplace injuries.

Practical sessions allow learners to develop familiarity with the skills they may need to use in a real emergency.

Online resources can be useful for supporting learning, and some courses use blended approaches. However, employers should check that the chosen course includes the practical training and assessment required for the qualification.

The aim is to help people understand not only what they should do, but also how to do it.

4. Are the instructors qualified and experienced?

The quality of the learning experience depends partly on the people delivering it.

A competent instructor should have the appropriate qualifications and experience to teach and assess the course. They should also be able to explain first aid procedures clearly, demonstrate practical skills and help learners understand how to apply what they’re learning.

Experience can be particularly valuable when instructors use realistic examples to explain how first aid principles apply in different situations.

At Help! First Aid Training, our instructors bring a range of professional backgrounds and practical experience to their teaching. We aim to make our courses engaging, accessible and relevant to the people attending.

5. Will learners leave feeling confident in their first aid ability?

A certificate is an important record of successful course completion, but confidence and competence matter too.

First aid situations can be stressful, especially when someone is seriously injured or unwell. Learners need to understand how to recognise an emergency, take appropriate action and seek further help.

Quality training should encourage questions, allow time to practise and help learners understand the importance of acting promptly whilst staying within their level of training.

A supportive learning environment can make a real difference, particularly for people who are nervous about first aid or who have never attended a course before.

6. What is the training provider's reputation?

Before booking a course, take time to research the provider.

Useful things to check include:

·       Customer reviews and testimonials: What do previous learners and employers say about the quality of the training?

·       Instructor experience: Can the provider explain the qualifications and experience of its trainers and assessors?

·       Accreditations and memberships: Does the provider belong to a recognised industry body or operate under an appropriate quality assurance scheme?

·       Course information: Is the website up to date and clear about course content, assessment, certification and renewal requirements?

·       Experience: Does the provider have any credible experience in the first aid industry?

No single factor tells you everything about a provider. Looking at the overall picture will help you make a more informed decision.

Help! First Aid Training joins the First Aid Industry Board (FAIB)

At Help! First Aid Training, quality, compliance and customer confidence have always been central to how we deliver our courses.

With over 17 years of experience, we understand that our customers need training that is practical, engaging and relative to their organisation, delivered by professional and experienced instructors at competitive prices.

We're pleased to announce that Help! First Aid Training has joined the First Aid Industry Board (FAIB).

The FAIB approves and regulates first aid training providers who offer first aid qualifications across the United Kingdom

FAIB is recognised by the Health & Safety Executive and the Department for Education/Ofsted and conducts due diligence so that employers can be assured of the quality of its member training providers and instructors.

For Help! First Aid Training customers, it's business as usual: practical, engaging training delivered by our experienced instructors, with the same focus on helping people feel confident and ready to use their skills should the need arise.

Our FAIB membership reflects our continued commitment to maintaining our current standards and delivering first aid training our customers can rely on.

Is quality first aid training worth the investment?

When looking for training, it can be tempting to focus on the cost per person, or the amount of time employees will spend away from work.

However, value for money also means choosing training that meets your needs, is delivered competently and helps learners develop the skills that they need to work safely within your organisation.

Get in touch to discuss your first aid training needs

At Help! First Aid Training, we deliver practical, engaging first aid courses designed to help people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond to an emergency situation.

Based in Shildon, County Durham, we offer open courses at our training facility, alongside onsite group training for businesses and organisations across the North-East of England.

Our training options include:

Open courses at our Shildon training facility

·       First Aid at Work

·       First Aid at Work Re-qualification

·       Emergency First Aid at Work

·       Paediatric First Aid (12-hour course)

Onsite group training for businesses and organisations

·       Basic Life Support and AED

·       First Aid at Work Annual Update

·       Defibrillator Competent User

·       Evac Chair Training

·       Fire Warden Training

·       First Aid for Mental Health

Whether you're a small business, a school, nursery, care provider or larger organisation, we can help you explore the training options that best suit your needs.

We deliver onsite training across the North-East, covering areas from Bishop Auckland to Billingham, Chester-le-Street to Consett, Stockton to Stanhope and beyond.

Talk to us about your first aid training needs

If you're looking for quality first aid training for your team, we'd be happy to help you find a suitable option.

Email: info@helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk

Telephone: 01388 417303

Website: www.helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk

Get in touch to discuss your requirements, ask questions about our courses or request a quote for onsite group training.