Legal Requirements for First Aid in Schools

Schools, nursery and childcare establishments who are responsible for the learning and development of children aged from birth to 5 also need to follow the EYFS Framework. The Framework was updated in October 2024 This framework says that at least one person with a full current paediatric first aid certificate must always be on-site and available. including on trips and outings.

When it comes to schools and colleges who provide education for older children, all settings must follow the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 which states that employers have a responsibility to ensure that their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or become ill at work. The regulations strongly recommended that schools and colleges also consider the needs of non-employees like students and visitors when making first aid provisions. In most cases, the headteacher is responsible for day-to-day health and safety and first aid matters.

The means to be able to administer first aid must be available on school or college premises, as well as during off-site activities such as educational visits. You need to be able to provide adequate equipment, facilities, and personnel based on a first aid needs assessment. The absolute minimum requirement includes:

• A properly stocked paediatric first aid kit. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) doesn’t specify a precise ratio of pupils to first aid kits, but rather focuses on ensuring adequate first aid provision
• A designated first aider
• Clear information regarding the location of equipment and personnel.

Choosing people to be responsible for first aid in schools

A first aid needs assessment will almost always determine that at least one first aider is needed to meet the needs of employees, students, and visitors. The number of first aiders overall will depend on the specific circumstances of each school or college.

When selecting people to become a first aider you need to consider several points:

• Are they reliable? You need someone to be ready and present
• What are their communication skills like? First aiders will need to take control of any situation
• How adept are they when it comes to learning new skills? Keeping on top of your skills and learning is essential to being an effective first aider
• How do they handle stressful situations? And are they capable of administering physically demanding emergency procedures
• Does their primary role make them available to respond to emergencies immediately?

First aiders are expected to provide immediate help to people with common injuries or illnesses, as well as those resulting from specific hazards in the school or college. They should also know when to call for professional medical help, including an ambulance, if needed. To become a first aider, individuals must undergo proper first aid training and hold a valid first aid certificate.

Beyond Basic First Aid

It is strongly recommended that schools and colleges appoint a senior mental health lead who will be responsible for overseeing the mental health and wellbeing of the entire institution. This role involves using existing resources and efforts to improve the mental health of students and staff through culture, ethos and environment.

Training courses on mental health first aid can teach staff how to recognise warning signs and develop the skills to approach and support someone while ensuring their own safety.

First aid certificates are typically valid for three years and you should arrange for retraining before the certificate expires. If a certificate expires, the first aider will need to complete another full course to become a first aider again. It is recommended that first aiders attend First Aid At Work Re-Qualification training to maintain their skills and stay updated on any procedural changes.

As the first aid requirements for school trips and outings extend beyond those needed while in the educational establishment itself and include additional safety requirements to be understood..

It is the duty of each educational setting to make sure that the most suitable members of your team are trained and that you have a fully trained person to respond to incidents and emergencies as quickly as possible. At STS First Aid, we are always happy to provide guidance on the most appropriate training for your team feel free to check out our fully accredited training courses below or call us on 0208 211 2054.

*Updated March 2025