Choosing the right First Aid course for your workplace can feel confusing. Different roles, different risks, different legal requirements - and suddenly you’re trying to decode acronyms like EFAW, PFA, FAW and wondering how many staff you actually need to train.
Maria Wilkinson, Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager at Mini First Aid has written this brilliant guide, that breaks everything down clearly so you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re a school leader, nursery manager, childminder, business owner, SIA licence holder, or responsible for health and safety in any workplace, we’ll help you understand exactly what you need.
At Mini First Aid, we’re FAIB accredited and deliver award
winning First Aid training nationwide. Our trainers are experienced, friendly,
and committed to making First Aid accessible, practical, and confidence
building for every setting.
Below is an overview of our most popular workplace courses, who they’re designed for, and how to decide what’s right for your team.
Our most popular Workplace First Aid courses
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
1 day / 6 hours
This one day course covers First Aid for adults and children aged 1+. It includes:
- Assessing an emergency
- Managing an unconscious casualty
- CPR
- Seizures
- Choking
- Bleeding
- Burns
- Minor injuries
- Anaphylaxis
It’s ideal for lower risk workplaces or as additional support in higher risk environments.
Commonly chosen by:
- Schools
- Retail
- Office based staff
- Hospitality and leisure
Required for:
- SIA licence holders
Paediatric First Aid (PFA)
12 hours / 2 days (or blended: e learning + 1 day face to
face)
This is the full Paediatric First Aid qualification, covering infants from newborn to 1 year, and children up to 18 years. It meets EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
Ideal for anyone working with babies or children, including:
- Nursery settings
- Childminders
- Schools with young children
- Nannies
- After school / holiday clubs
- Children’s activity providers
If you do not require the full 12 hour Paediatric qualification, we also have a one day version (Emergency Paediatric First Aid).
First Aid at Work (FAW)
18 hours / 3 days (or blended: e learning + 2 days face to
face)
This is the most comprehensive workplace First Aid qualification. It covers adults and children aged 1+ and is designed for higher risk settings or large workplaces.
Commonly chosen by:
- Larger schools (often alongside EFAW trained staff)
- Construction
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Large multi site workplaces
Combined courses
Many workplaces support both adults and children - and need First Aid training that reflects that. Combined courses ensure staff can respond to emergencies involving colleagues, parents, visitors, babies, and children.
Settings that benefit from combined training:
- Nurseries
- Childminders with multiple staff
- Schools
- Soft play centres
- Children’s activity venues
- Hospitality and leisure settings that welcome families
Below are our most popular combined options.
Emergency First Aid at Work + Emergency Paediatric First Aid
1 day
This course blends our EFAW content with essential infant First Aid (under 1 year). It’s ideal for lower risk settings that work with mixed age groups, including infants.
Great for:
- Children’s activity providers
- Soft play centres
- Hospitality and leisure venues
- Any family focused setting
Emergency First Aid at Work + Full Paediatric First Aid
This combined course includes the full Paediatric First Aid qualification plus the adult focused EFAW content. It’s perfect for settings that must meet EYFS requirements but also want staff trained to respond to adult emergencies.
Commonly chosen by:
- Schools
- Nurseries
- Larger childminders
Specialist Courses
We also offer specialist training tailored to specific environments, including:
- Forest School First Aid
- Outdoor First Aid
- First Aid updates for healthcare professionals (ideal for GP and dental practices)
- Basic Life support
- Anaphylaxis training
Do I actually need a formal qualification?
Legally, every workplace must have:
- An adequately stocked First Aid kit
- An appointed person to take charge of First Aid arrangements
However, what counts as “adequate and appropriate” depends entirely on your workplace. You should carry out a First Aid needs assessment to determine what training and equipment you require.
Guidance on how to assess your needs can be found here.
In some settings, qualified First Aiders are mandatory - for example:
- EYFS settings in England must have staff with full Paediatric First Aid
- SIA licence holders must hold EFAW
- Wales requires at least one 12 hour Paediatric First Aider available at all times including accompanying children on outings
- In Scotland, childcare providers should have a formal First Aid training certificate (usually 12 hours) that covers the age ranges of the children they care for. The course should meet care inspectorate standards.
How many first aiders do I need?
Your First Aid needs assessment should consider:
- The nature of your work
- Number of staff
- Size and layout of your site
- Lone working
- Shift patterns
- Number of customers or clients on site
General guidance:
- If you have more than 5 employees, you should have at least one trained Emergency First Aid at Work First Aider
- If you have more than 50 employees, you should consider at least one FAW trained First Aider per 50 staff (or part thereof)
Even if you’re not legally required to have a qualified First Aider, it’s still a smart investment. Trained staff can respond quickly, confidently, and effectively - reducing risk, improving safety culture, and potentially saving lives.
Ready to book or need advice?
Your local Mini First Aid trainer is here to help you navigate your First Aid requirements and choose the right course for your team. We pride ourselves on being friendly, supportive, and genuinely passionate about empowering workplaces with life saving skills.
Get in touch with your local franchise today - we’d love to help.
Need Workplace First Aid supplies?
Mini First Aid offer a great range of workplace first aid supplies from first aid kits to AEDs. Make us your one stop shop for both staff training and your workplace supplies.
This Workplace First Aid Kit comes in 3 sizes to suit the needs of your organisation. All our Workplace kits comply with the British Standard (BS8599-1) that Mini First Aid recommend all workplaces adhere to. Our handy infographic will help you work out which size kit your organisation requires.
Our comprehensive AED station provides everything needed to clearly display and safely store a life-saving defibrillator in the workplace or public setting. Supplied with a fully automatic Mindray C1A AED, the station enables rapid response in a cardiac emergency. A durable wall-mountable cabinet with a thumb lock keeps the defibrillator secure while ensuring it remains clearly visible and accessible. The station also includes a responder kit, along with multiple signs and posters that highlight the AED’s location and provide simple guidance, helping even untrained individuals feel more confident using it in an emergency.
