First Aid at Work Requalification course

What is a First Aid at Work Requalification course?

First Aid at Work Requalification (FAWR) is a 2-day training course for first aiders that need their existing First Aid at Work certificate to be refreshed for another three years. The course revisits all the topics the initial 3-day course; giving learners the opportunity to practice skills they may not have used, updating learners on any clinical changes and making sure that first aiders are still capable of helping safely in a first aid situation.

Our First Aid at Work Requalification course:

• meets the Health and Safety Executives requirements for first aid in the workplace
• is widely recognised as a level 3 first aid qualification.

The training covers a range of essential first aid skills that are suitable for larger or higher hazard workplaces, such as construction, manufacturing and some healthcare settings.

Refreshing your first aid skills will equip you with the knowledge you need to respond quickly and confidently if someone becomes unwell or is injured in the workplace. If your certificate has already expired, you should not act as a first aider in your workplace until you have requalified.

It is recommended that if your certificate has expired by more than a month, you should consider a full 3-day First Aid at Work course to ensure you have sufficient time and opportunity to build your confidence and update your First Aid at Work skills fully.

Your free Mental Health for First Aiders course

All First Aid at Work requalification learners have access to a free online 30-minute Mental Health for First Aiders course, once they have completed their First Aid at Work course. 2024 HSE guidance introduces the inclusion of mental health considerations within first aid needs assessments to identify additional training requirements. As a first aider, you may also be required to support someone with mental ill health. It is therefore important to be able to take appropriate action to help promptly, safely, and effectively.

This short course is a continuation of your First Aid at Work learning and an introduction to Mental Health at Work training. It is not a mandatory part of your First Aid at Work course and does not impact your First aid certification.

Why choose to train with us?

For more than 40 years, the Red Cross has provided regulated training for the workplace across first aid, health and safety, and mental health, to organisations across the UK.

Our First Aid at Work Requalification course utilises expert knowledge gained from years of experience in the first aid industry, from training, to providing first aid cover for major events and supporting the NHS ambulance services.

Did you know that:

• The British Red Cross is recognised as a standard setter in First Aid at Work training by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• We are one of three authors of the current edition of the First Aid Manual, which is recognised as one of the main sources for current first aid guidelines in the UK.
• We are committed to delivering the highest quality learning experiences and sustainability practices demonstrated by our ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 20121:2012 certifications, both globally recognised standards for quality management systems and event sustainability, respectively.

What does First Aid at Work Requalification cover?

This 2-day course covers everything you learned on the initial 3-day First Aid at Work course, but assumes learners have a level of understanding from their previous training, meaning the topics will be covered more quickly. The following topics are covered include helping a casualty who:

• is unresponsive and breathing
• is unresponsive and not breathing, including how to use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
• is choking
• is feeling faint
• is bleeding, including life-threatening bleeding and the use of haemostatic dressings and tourniquets
• is suffering shock and internal bleeding
• has been poisoned
• has a head injury
• has hypothermia, heat exhaustion or heat stroke
• has an injury to a bone, muscle or joint (including spinal injuries).

Learners will also be able to help a casualty who is having a:

• seizure
• heart attack including the administration of aspirin
• angina attack
• stroke
• asthma attack
• severe allergic reaction
• diabetic emergency.

The course also includes information on:

• assessing a casualty
• monitoring a casualty
• where to get help
• electrical incidents
• accident recording and reporting
• the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH).

Learning and assessment

How are learners assessed?

Learners are continuously evaluated during the course through a variety of hands-on demonstrations, interactive question and answer sessions, quizzes, and engaging activities like roleplay. These activities are designed to guide and assist learners in gaining the necessary skills and ensure they can apply their knowledge safely within their workplace.

How long is a First Aid at Work requalification certificate valid for?

Upon successfully completing the course, learners will be awarded a First Aid at Work Requalification certificate from the British Red Cross. This qualification remains valid for a period of three years.

How long is the First Aid at Work Requalification course?

The HSE require learners to complete 12 hours of learning, not including breaks. Our courses usually run from 9.15 to 4.45 which includes a 1-hour lunch and 2 short 15min breaks. Learners are asked to arrive at the course at 9am to allow time for registration, late arrivals may be refused entry to the course.

Entry Requirements 

The role of a first aider can be physically and emotionally challenging. It is important you select individuals who you feel will be able to act quickly and effectively in a first aid emergency situation.

Learners will need to demonstrate their ability to use the skills covered on the course to receive the First Aid at Work qualification.

Suitable for learners over the age of 16.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have previously held a full three day First Aid at Work certificate; on successful completion of this course any certificate issued without this prior training will be invalid.

FAQs

How often should first aid training be refreshed?

The First Aid at Work qualification is valid for three years. To act as a workplace first aider for the purposes of the Health and Safety (first aid) regulations 1981, the certificates of a first aider must be in date.

If you have previously attended a 3-day First Aid at Work course, you can choose to renew your first aid skills by attending a 2-day First Aid at Work requalification course. If you have not been required to use your skills regularly you may prefer to attend a 3-day First Aid at Work course again. The regulations also recommend that first aiders complete Annual First Aid Refresher training between qualifications, which is beneficial if you have not had to use your skills for a while.

What happens when a First aid at work certificate expires?

You are no longer able to act as a first aider in your workplace for the purposes of the Health and Safety (first aid) regulations 1981 after your certificate expires. If you wish to continue as a first aider you will need to attend a 2-day First Aid at Work Requalification course or, if you have not used your skills often you may prefer a full 3-day First Aid at Work course. You will not be qualified until you have completed your requalification training, there is no longer a grace period for First Aid at Work qualification.

What is the First Aid at Work Requalification grace period?

There is no longer a grace period for First Aid at Work qualifications. You should arrange to requalify before your certificate expires to ensure there is no break in your first aider provision.

What is a First Aid at Work Refresher course?

The First Aid at Work Requalification is a 2-day training course, that meets the HSE’s requirements for first aiders who need to refresh their existing First Aid at Work certificate for another three years. It is often referred to as a refresher or renewal course by first aiders and those looking to enrol.