RLSS UK first aid qualifications have always been industry-leading and relevant to the Leisure sector, and we want to ensure that this remains the case. So, our Qualifications and Development team has worked with groups of experienced trainers to review the look and feel of our first aid qualifications. The changes have been tried and tested on pilot courses. The qualifications are now ready to relaunch with changes supporting Approved Training Centres (ATCs) / Approved Training Providers (ATPs) in delivering qualifications to employees and the wider community.  

What has changed? 

The relaunch sees an improved learner journey, additional support for Trainer Assessors (TAs) delivering RLSS UK first aid courses, and added resources and more clarity on how to become an RLSS UK First Aid Trainer Assessor. This includes;

• A dedicated webpage for the ‘First Aid Essentials’ suite - to support candidates in selecting the most appropriate first aid training course for their requirements.
• Refreshed Candidate Manuals are available from your RLSS UK Account today! There are now two manuals – one for First Aid at Work (FAW), which includes the content for Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and a second that covers Paediatric First Aid (PFA), which consists of the content for Emergency Paediatric First Aid (EPFA). Optional revision questions and activities will also be added to support your candidate’s learning journey.
• New images and videos—to refresh and modernise the feel of the resources and course materials.
• New PowerPoint presentations have been designed to support First Aid TAs and their preferred teaching style.
• More comprehensive lesson plans for Trainer Assessors reference the candidate manual sections that match the covered content.
• Dedicated First Aid Toolbox—Toolbox activities have been included to support first aid Trainers and facilitate an engaging learning experience for your candidates.
• New Digital Resources—such as practical assessment, registers and personal performance records (potentially reducing printing).

Further improvements planned?

Over the coming months, there are plans to launch further developments to the first aid courses, including Blended Learning and a new section covering life-threatening bleeds – keep an eye out for additional communications about these.  

What must Trainer Assessors (TAs) do to access the resources? 

There is a FREE optional Update for First Aid Trainer Assessors to provide an overview of the changes and how they affect the delivery of the training; this is now available in the Awards & Training tab of the RLSS UK Accounts of those who hold the prerequisites (such as being an RLSS UK First Aid Trainer Assessor who has a current RLSS UK Licence to Operate Membership). Whilst the course content remains similar, we encourage you to complete the update and familiarise yourself with new resources before delivering your next course. The existing first aid resources will be available until 31 December 2024, after which only the new resources will be available.

Maintaining standards 

Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland still regulate RLSS UK first aid qualifications.   

We also continue to work with the  First Aid Quality Partnership Group, First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum and European Research Council to ensure our qualifications and courses are of the highest standard, widely viewed as best practice and ratified. 

UCAS recognition 

The First Aid Essentials qualifications are also Level 3 qualifications (like our National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)). By completing them, candidates can gain 8 UCAS Tariff points, helping students secure a place at university or further studies. Points can also be combined if the candidate completes multiple first aid courses.  

How to Become a First Aid Trainer Assessor?  

You can upskill a team member to become an RLSS UK First Aid Trainer Assessor (TA) and qualify to deliver first aid courses – the cost is as little as £50. For more details, visit www.rlss.org.uk/become-a-first-aid-trainer-assessor.

We hope you welcome the changes to the resources and continue to see the importance of delivering RLSS UK first aid qualifications. Please do not hesitate to call 0300 323 0096 or email info@rlss.org.uk if you require assistance.