Before October 2013 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approved first aid training providers. The importance of the HSE’s stamp of approval was a constant and ensured a quality standard in the market.
From 1 October 2013, the HSE ceased approving first aid training providers. The argument from the HSE and the government at the time was to allow organisations more flexibility, but it was also part of a broader shift in the regulatory practice of moving the onus onto the organisation itself. It is now the responsibility of organisations to ensure that the training they have received is sufficient and proportionate according to their own risk assessment.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) doesn’t approve training providers or courses for you. As an employer, it’s your duty to perform your own due diligence and ensure that the course, and how it’s delivered, meets the standards outlined by the HSE and, most importantly, your needs.
An accredited course delivered by a business, school or college will be attached to an Awarding Body. An Awarding Body will have been approved by OFQUAL to deliver accredit courses.
OFQUAL will ensure Awarding Bodies develop courses which meet the required training and assessment standards specified for the level of learning taking place.
The Awarding Body who have developed the course will authorise Centres to deliver their courses and will ensure their Centres are delivering the courses to required assessment standards as well as the required knowledge and techniques.