Probably one of my most frequently asked questions in recent weeks. The good news is that Ofsted (for schools and childcare settings) and the Health and Safety Executive (for all employers) have agreed that current certificates which have expired can be extended by 3 months.
Advice as at 24.03.20
From Ofsted:
If your paediatric first aid certificate is due to expire, there is a 3-month extension to the validity for all certificates coming up for renewal on or after 16 March.
From: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ofsted-coronavirus-covid-19-rolling-update
From the HSE:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware that people holding First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates nearing expiry date, might experience disruption to access to requalification training as a result of events or circumstances generated by the coronavirus pandemic.
HSE’s current guidance on the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations is that those holding a first aid qualification should undertake retraining before their original certificate expires and HSE strongly recommends that employers, and individuals holding those qualifications should plan for requalification training well in advance of expiry dates.
If, however, requalification training is prevented for reasons associated directly with coronavirus or by complying with related government advice, it is reasonable and practical to extend the validity of current certificates by up to 3 months.
Anyone taking advantage of this extension should be able to describe clearly their reasons for delaying requalification training, and demonstrate steps they have taken to undertake the training, if required.
This guidance comes into effect for certificates expiring on or after 16th March 2020.
In terms of being able to demonstrate steps you have taken to undertake the training, I am keeping a record of all bookings which I had for first aid in the coming weeks and can provide that as evidence if you need it.
I am also able to offer an interactive first aid refresher session on line to enable your teams to brush up their skills and evidence that they have kept up to date in the interim = contact me for details.
Should I change the first aid I have been taught in case of an emergency? A great video here to help you see how to adapt your learning:
As always, please get in touch if I can be of any help.