Changes to First aid at Work and Emergency First aid at Work
Important information about QCF first aid qualifications
As you may be aware all QCF qualifications need to be removed or transferred to the RQF by the end of this year.
Qualifications Network has already changed many of our qualifications over to the new framework.
We have recently been active in reviewing the first aid at work and emergency first aid at work qualifications with a handful of other key AOs in this sector.
A final version was confirmed on 10/05/17 and two new qualifications will be launched on 01/10/17
The existing qualifications:
QNUK Level 2 Award in Emergency First aid at Work and the
QNUK Level 3 Award in First aid at work will end on 30/09/17
We have also decided to review the following qualifications to coincide with these dates if appropriate:
- QNUK Level 2 Award in Activity First aid (QCF)
- QNUK Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (QCF)
- QNUK Level 2 Award in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and External Defibrilation (QCF)
- QNUK Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support and Management of Anaphylaxis (QCF)
What does this mean?
When we discontinue an active qualification we are required to set an 'operational end date' OED, and a 'certification' end date' CED
An OED is the last date that a candidate can start a qualification. they need to have completed any learning, have been assessed and have been certificates by the CED.
We cannot certificate any learners for the qualification after the CED.
For the first aid at work qualification it is a requirement that courses are no longer than 10 weeks. This means that a candidate starting on 30/09/17 MUST have been assessed by 09/12/17
This means there is up to 16 weeks to ensure the candidate is registered onto the MYQNUK system, any verification undertaken and results confirmed.
What are the new qualifications called?
The new qualification are almost the same as the QCF versions:
QNUK Level 3 Award in Emergency First aid at Work (RQF)
QNUK Level 3 Award in First aid at Work (RQF)
When are the new qualifications launching?
The new qualifications will take over straight from the QCF versions. They end on 30/09/17 the new ones start on 01/10/17 - the Day before our First aid launch event in Birmingham
What if my candidate completes the qualification but is not registered onto MyQNUK correctly before the certificate end date?
The candidate will unfortunately not be able to receive a regulated qualification. We would also be concerned and would need to consider the need to undertake an investigation into the causes. Costs would be recovered from the centre.
Can I register candidates onto the MyQNUK system before September, but assess them and certificate them after the CED?
No, although they would have been registered, they would either not have been assessed within the expected timeframe or results would have been unfairly delayed.
Can we just keep offering the level 2 EFAW?
No. The AO forum have agreed that the qualifications for the purposes of meeting the Health and Safety (First aid) regulations. The current qualifications will no longer meet that purpose after the new ones are introduced. All AOs will be changing at the same time.
Is there a big difference in the qualifications?
No. Trainers and assessors will notice very little difference. The full assessment criteria will be published shortly.
Will other qualifications be affected?
As the primary first aid courses are changing and we still have some first aid related qualifications that need to move from the QCF to the RQF, there may be some changes to those qualifications. As always your input is welcome.