Using external first aid qualifications in Scouts

Please read the First Response Validation guidance to understand how to validate external first aid training within Scouts.

Any course that is set by a regulated body, and covers the Scouts First Response criteria, recognition and length requirements can be considered as a suitable alternative to a First Response course. 

A regulated body is one such as British Red Cross or St John Ambulance, or a training provider which is Ofqual or Qualsafe registered. For more details of other providers of qualifications (including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) check the Joint Council for Qualifications.

If members have done a course which fully meets these requirements, they need to speak to an accredited First Response trainer. They will need to provide evidence of their qualification, and the trainer will check they have met the requirements.  

If members have done a course which does not fully meet the requirements (for example First Aid at Work), they need to speak to an accredited First Response trainer. They will need to provide evidence of their qualification and the trainer who will arrange for learning and validation of any missing elements.

This section refers to members whose employment requires them to undertake medical or first aid activities regularly such as Nurses, Midwives, Police Officers, Medical Practitioners, Members of H.M. Armed Forces, and Ambulance Care – Assistants/Paramedics/Technicians. 

To exempt these professionals from undergoing unnecessary duplication of first aid learning, they are required to provide evidence of an up-to-date qualification which as a minimum meets the  First Response criteria. 

This evidence can be a certificate or an official letter confirming the necessary areas have been met. They will need to provide evidence to an accredited First Response trainer who will confirm the requirements are fully met or will arrange for learning and validation of any missing elements.

Any course (minimum 16 hours) that is set by a regulated body, may be considered suitable for delivering first aid in remote adventurous activities. Consideration must be made to the suitability, environment and skills provided through this qualification and the relevance to the activity and environment being undertaken.  

If this qualification is also being used for the volunteers' First Response learning requirements, then see the above section on validating First Response.  

You’ll need to get another accredited First Response trainer to check your first aid certificate and confirm you meet the requirements.

Refer to the Course Comparison sheet to identify the First Response syllabus areas that have not been covered.

To accreditate First Response, the missing sections of learning (sepsis/meningitis and dental incidents) must be assessed.

This can be done directly with a First Response trainer or by completing the ‘Hampshire FAW Conversion’. First Response Learning (10a) can now be credited with the date on the FAW certificate.

In addition, the learner must demonstrate, or instruct a trainer, child CPR face to face with a First Response trainer. First Response Practical (10b) can now be credited.