To update you on where we are currently at in terms of First Aid Training, this is the latest information that we have received from our industry.

The HSE has announced via its website today 26 May 2020:

‘Requalification training in England:

The first aid training industry in England is confident that enough courses will now be available for all required requalification training to take place. HSE has therefore agreed a final deadline for requalification for these qualifications of 30 September 2020.’  (Scource: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/first-aid-certificate-coronavirus.htm).

This does mean that for our clients who are already trained in First Aid there is an extended grace period in which to get your requalifications completed. Great news, as at present we still do not have a green light to deliver training under current government guidelines.

Update on Training course delivery:

We recieved an update on 21 May 2020 from our Ofqual accredited Awarding Organisation TQUK of the latest advice to First Aid Training Organisations from the First Aid Awarding Organsiation Forum (this comprises the HSE, Ofqual and the various Ofqual Awarding Organsitations including TQUK) which states that we should not be delivering any First Aid Training until the COVID-19 alert status is reduced to Level 3.  I am currently working out how to change the practical components of the training to accomodate all of the guidance recommended and in particular to accomodate the social distancing side of things and you can view the current guidance here.

Once training does restart, we will be contacting any clients who have had thier courses cancelled in the first instance; anyone else will be able to book onto our open course programme and dates are available on our website starting September 2020. Numbers on courses will have to be reduced to allow for 2m social distancing to be maintained in our training premises.  Please email us to book candidates onto courses, or to discuss in-house courses for your workplace.  Anyone who exhibits potential signs of coronavirus or who has a temperature will not be permitted to join a course and they will have to be rescheduled. Good general hygiene, and in particular hand hygiene will be enforced and we will provide an individual manikin per candidate once training does restart. 

I will of course update you again as soon as I have any further information. If you have any questions regarding this, please do feel free to contact us at Underwood Training via mail@underwood-training.co.uk

Hoping that you and your loved ones are safe and well at this time.

Helen Underwood, Director of Training