Regulated First Aid qualifications

For the last 7 years I have been running Peritia Training, a centre accredited by ITC First to deliver regulated first aid qualifications. I didn't really make a conscious choice to deliver regulated qualifications, at the time I didn't really know what that actually meant. But I did make a conscious choice to set up a high quality training centre and that is how I ended up choosing to deliver regulated qualifications.

The regulatory bodies of the UK

In this blog post I will explain what regulated qualifications mean for me and the importance that I attach to them.

Let me explain, starting at the top:

Qualifications are regulated by one of the following - Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA (Northern Ireland).

Awarding Organisations then develop qualifications which gain recognition by one, or more, of the regulators.

Training centres (like my own Peritia Training) are then accredited by one, or more, Awarding Organisations to deliver those regulated qualifications.

In order for a qualification to be recognised by the regulators it has to be fit for purpose. This means that the syllabus, assessment methods, total qualification time and guided learning hours have all been approved as sufficient for that particular qualification.

The regulators also set out the quality assurance procedures that must be in place both Externally (through the Awarding Organisation) and Internally (through the accredited training centre). These procedures ensure standardisation of assessment practices and then ongoing quality of both trainers and assessors.

The HSE require that employers do due diligence checks on any first aid training provider that they are using to provide a course for their employees. However if they chose a training provider who is delivering regulated qualifications then these checks do not need to be carried out.

A first aid centre that is delivering non-regulated qualifications would need to prove to employers that their courses were being delivered to the same standard as those accredited by an Awarding Organisation to deliver regulated qualifications. So this could mean a lot more work for the centre manager. Non-regulated simply means that the centre delivers and certificates their own courses and is responsible for their own quality assurance. If an employer asks then the centre has an obligation to prove their quality to the employer.

Delivering regulated qualifications can be more costly as the centre is having to pay the Awarding Organisation for the registration and certification of learners, plus the costs of External Quality Assurance. Depending on the Awarding Organisation this could be a cost per learner, per course or it could involve an annual payment plus a cost per learner, per course. Most Awarding Organisations will also sell course manuals which you can buy as required or in bulk.

Delivering outdoor first aid qualifications

I like being an accredited centre, I can go onto the portal and download course syllabi, course assessment guidelines, course paperwork and other documentation. I can order course manuals relevant to the needs of my learners. I know that all of this will meet the guidelines set out by the UK Resus council and any other advisory bodies relating to the delivery of first aid.

I like having someone on the end of the phone who I can speak to if I have an issue with one of my courses. As a sole trainer this is important support for me. I also know that if there is a problem with one of my learners then I have complaints, appeals and other procedures to fall back on within the Awarding Organisation. It is this support which I feel is invaluable.

A learner choosing to do a regulated course can do so with the knowledge that the course content and assessment methods have been externally approved. The trainer/assessor delivering the course will be of the required level and have the experience necessary to both teach the necessary skills, and also assess that the learner can perform those skills to the level dictated by the course. If there are any issues with the course then the learner can follow the appropriate procedures to complain or appeal - all the way to the regulators if necessary. If the course provider goes out of business and a replacement certificate is required then the learner could obtain this direct from the awarding organisation.

Now I fully understand that a centre can deliver high quality courses on their own, produce their own certificates and conduct their own quality assurance. But for me I would rather have the external quality, the support and the reassurance for those attending my courses and if this involves a higher payment then I consider that money well spent.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.