Paediatric First Aid Guidance - Cache

CACHE Paediatric First Aid Additional Guidance
Publication History
Please note: the following amendments were made to this guidance document in February 2012:
p.2, Paediatric First Aid Providers please note the EYFS requirements: This section has been
added.
p.4, Requirements of trainers: Exemptions to PFA certificate requirements have been added.
Level 2 Paediatric First Aid units in the QCF
There are two Level 2 paediatric first aid units included within the Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young
People’s Workforce (CYPW) QCF qualification.
F/600/2036 – Paediatric Emergency First Aid
J/600/2037 – Managing Paediatric Illness and Injury
The decision to include them in the CYPW qualification, and specifically in the Level 2 Certificate rather than in the
Level 3 Diploma CYPW qualification, was made by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC).
Where learners are taking the units as part of the Level 2 Certificate CYPW qualification, CACHE and other awarding
organisations will recognise achievement of the units as evidence of competence paediatric first aid. This means that
when assessors are deeming learners competent in these paediatric first aid units, they are giving them a ‘licence to
practise’ which will allow them to deliver first aid to a child in their care without supervision.
If learners want separate certification for the CACHE Level 2 Award in Paediatric First Aid qualification, they would
need to additionally register with CACHE for this. A fee would apply in accordance with the current fees list published
on Cachezone. Learners would not be required to repeat the learning, but to meet first aid guidelines would need to
renew their qualification every three years.
In both the case of the 2 units within the L2 CYPW qualification and the standalone level 2 Award when completing the
units there must be no more that a three month gap between the completion of each unit.
Standalone Qualification - CACHE Level 2 Award in Paediatric First Aid
The two units can also be taken together as a standalone paediatric first aid qualification. CACHE offers this full
qualification, the CACHE Level 2 Award in Paediatric First Aid.
The qualification has the agreed regulatory purpose of “confirm occupational competence and /or licence to practise”.
It has a minimum GLH of 20 and a credit of 2. It is offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When both units are completed CACHE Level 2 Paediatric First Aid meets the requirements laid down by DFES Early
Years Foundation Stage 2007.
Some elements of the qualification must be assessed by observing the learner carrying out a practical demonstration of
competencies on infant and child manikins, such as CPR, dealing with severe choking and recovery positions. Other
elements are knowledge based and do not have to be observed practically.
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This qualification is valid for 3 years from the date on the certificate. This information will appear on the certificate for
the CACHE Level 2 Award in Paediatric First Aid.
It is a principle of the Qualifications and Credit Framework that credit for learning can only be gained once. Therefore,
where this qualification is repeated for renewal purposes, a certificate will be provided but no further credit will be
gained.
Paediatric First Aid Providers please note the EYFS requirements
The (EYFS) Early Years Foundation Stage has a section which relates to Paediatric First Aid. It states that courses
must be approved by the Local Authority in whose area the early years provision is located. If you have not already
done so we suggest that you contact your Local Authority to seek approval.
Learner Evidence of Prior Achievement
No Current Equivalencies
St John’s, Red Cross and St Andrews accredited training courses are not on the NQF framework and so cannot be
used as ‘equivalencies’ within QCF.
No Current Exemptions
St John’s, Red Cross and St Andrews accredited training courses are not QCF qualifications and so cannot be used as
‘exemptions’.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL in the QCF
“A method of assessment (leading to the award of credit) that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they
can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already possess
and do not need to develop through a course of learning.”
RPL is an alternative route to recognition and not a short cut. RPL must therefore be an integrated part of a qualityassured
assessment process. Using any St John’s, Red Cross or St Andrews accredited training as RPL towards the
two paediatric first aid units, Organisations wishing to use RPL for the Paediatric First Aid level two units, must ensure
that the content of the course meets the learning outcomes of each unit. Where learning outcomes are not fully met
they may be covered by written questions or professional discussion. This must be carried out by a qualified assessor
who is occupationally competent.
In other words, the learner being assessed for credits through RPL must still comply with all the standards and
requirements as stated within the QCF units, including the learning outcome, the assessment criteria and any
additional information provided within the unit in relation to sector assessment strategies and principles.
Centres would need to retain documentary evidence of the assessment and internal quality assurance of every
individual using RPL as an assessment method to be monitored by their Centre Advisor. The assessor would also need
to meet the requirements of assessors listed below.
However centres must ensure that the Paediatric First Aid learning to be RPL’d was delivered by an appropriate
qualified Paediatric First Aid trainer who meets the appropriate criteria.
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Requirements of Assessors
When using this guidance, Centres should additionally refer to the CACHE publication ‘A Guide to … the Requirements
of Assessors and Internal Quality Assurers for CACHE QCF Qualifications’ which is available on Cachezone.
In summary, there are three requirements of assessors of these units. These apply regardless of whether the assessor
is a Centre member of staff or a representative from a voluntary organisation such as St Johns, Red Cross or St
Andrews. They must as a minimum:
1. be qualified to make assessment decisions
2. hold a current and valid Paediatric First Aid Certificate
3. be able to show they are occupationally knowledgeable / competent in relation to the learning outcome
Skills and knowledge should be assessed in accordance with currently accepted first-aid practice in the United
Kingdom. CACHE accepts the Paediatric first-aid management of injuries and illness, as laid down by the Resuscitation
Council (UK); and in the current edition of the first-aid manual of the Voluntary Aid Societies (St John Ambulance,
British Red Cross, St Andrew’s Ambulance Association); or in other publications, provided they are in line with the two
above or supported by a responsible body of medical opinion.
1. Qualified to make assessment decisions
The Sector Skills Council (SSC) Skills for Care and Development has specified that each assessor must hold a
qualification suitable to support the making of appropriate and consistent assessment decisions. In conjunction with
other awarding organisations, CACHE has prepared a provisional and indicative list of qualifications to include any of
the following:
D32 Assess Candidate Performance
D33 Assess Candidate Using Differing Sources of Evidence
A1 Assess Candidate Performance Using a Range of Methods
A2 Assessing Candidates' Performance through Observation
QCF Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment
QCF Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
QCF Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Qualified Teacher Status
Certificate in Education in Post Compulsory Education (PCE)
The Practice Teacher Award
Mentorship and Assessment in Health and Social Care Settings
Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS)
Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)
If a Centre wishes to make an application to include other qualifications on this list that they feel additionally reflect that
an individual is qualified to make assessment decisions, they should contact their Centre Advisor with full details. The
application will be considered in liaison with other awarding organisations and the SSC to ensure a consistency of
approach.
2. Hold a current Paediatric First Aid Certificate
The Joint Awarding Body Quality Group has agreed that assessors for the paediatric first aid units in Level 2 Certificate
CYPW, including where they are taken as a standalone qualification, must hold a current Paediatric First Aid Certificate
in order to assess these two QCF units. This agreement applies to all awarding organisations offering the units.
The course to achieve a Paediatric First Aid Certificate must be at least 12 hours in length and meet the Criteria for
Paediatric First Aid Courses for Early Years and Childcare Settings [2008].
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3. Occupationally knowledgeable / competent
The assessor will need to be occupationally knowledgeable to assess knowledge learning outcomes and for
competence learning outcomes, they must additionally be occupationally competent.
Occupationally knowledgeable
This means that the assessor or quality assurer should possess relevant knowledge and understanding. They should
be able to assess or quality assure this in units designed to test specific knowledge and understanding, or in units
where knowledge and understanding are components of competency. This occupational knowledge should be
maintained annually through clearly demonstrable continuing learning and professional development.
Occupationally competent
This means that the assessor or quality assurer must be capable of carrying out the full requirements within the
competency units they are assessing or quality assuring. Being occupationally competent means they are also
occupationally knowledgeable. This occupational competence should be maintained annually through clearly
demonstrable continuing learning and professional development.
In this case, the occupational competence required is in paediatric first aid and not in care or childcare.
Requirements of Trainers
In summary, there are three requirements of trainers / tutors of these units. They must as a minimum:
1. hold a current and valid Paediatric First Aid Certificate
2. be able to show they are occupationally knowledgeable / competent in relation to the learning outcome
3. hold a current trainer’s certificate.
Centres may find it is expedient to use an assessor to deliver the training who meets the additional assessment
requirements outlined the section above.
St John, Red Cross and St Andrews are voluntary organisations that offer First Aid courses. They are not awarding
organisations and were not involved in the development of the two paediatric first aid units. However they may be able
offer courses to meet the learning outcomes of the two units and are likely to have competent trainers or assessors on
their books.
All trainers should have a valid PFA certificate. The following are exempt from this requirement:
Doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
Nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC);
Paramedics registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
For these exemptions to apply, the trainer should demonstrate current experience of first-aid skills (within the last two
years) by producing sufficient evidence in their portfolio.
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Quality assurance
Requirements of Internal Quality Assurers
In summary, there are two requirements of internal quality assurers of these units. These apply regardless of whether
the quality assurer is a Centre member of staff or a representative from a voluntary organisation such as St Johns, Red
Cross or St Andrews. They must:
1. be qualified to make quality assurance decisions
2. be occupational knowledgeable in relation to the learning outcome
These requirements are no different to any other qualification IQA requirements, paediatric first aid should be treated
in the same way.
These are considered in more detail below.
1. Qualified to make quality assurance decisions
Skills for Care and Development has specified that awarding organisations will determine what will qualify those
undertaking internal quality assurance to make decisions about that quality assurance. CACHE has provisionally
defined these to include any of the following:
V1 Conduct Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process
D34 Internally Verify the Assessment Process
QCF Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
QCF Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice
However, CACHE recognises the need for flexibility in relation to those individuals with experience and expertise in
undertaking quality assurance decisions but without an existing approved qualification, for example Internal
Moderators. The following approach has therefore been agreed:
Individual to provide a CV for approval to CACHE via their Centre Advisor which includes additional detail to show
assessment experience and a minimum of 1 year’s experience in making quality assurance judgements.
Individual to commit to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in assessment and quality
assurance within 3 months of approval as an internal quality assurer for CACHE to ensure up-to-date working
knowledge and experience of best practice in assessment and quality assurance in line with current LLUK
standards / requirements. Evidence of CPD to be checked by Centre Advisors during Centre Monitoring activities.
CACHE recommends that for good practice and consistency, all internal quality assurers should look to achieve
one of the new LLUK internal quality assurance qualifications (or recognised equivalent) within 2 years.
2. Occupational knowledgeable
The internal quality assurer will need to be occupationally knowledgeable to quality assure these units.
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CPD requirements in occupational competence and knowledge
Trainers, assessors, and where appropriate quality assurers, will need to retain evidence of CPD for the occupational
requirements of the units that they are delivering, assessing or quality assuring.
This can be produced in a variety of ways, but you should always maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of first aid,
including the current Resuscitation Council Guidelines.
Centres should be aware that CPD is not a replacement for occupational competence and in this case, the
occupational competence required is in paediatric first aid and not in care or childcare.
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