First-aider

There are no rules on the exact number of first-aid personnel. This will be a judgment based upon local circumstances and a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. See Guidance on First Aid for Schools: A Good Practice Guide (sections 43 to 46) for guidance on numbers.

Unless first-aid cover is part of a staff member's contractual duties, first-aiders are selected on a voluntary basis. First-aiders must complete a training course approved by the HSE.

First-aiders’ main duties are to give immediate help to casualties with common injuries and those arising from specific hazards at school, and, when necessary, to ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is called.

When considering first-aiders, governing bodies and head teachers should take into account an individual's:

Reliability and communication skills
Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills
Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures
Normal duties: a first-aider must be able to leave their usual post and go immediately to an emergency

Source: Guidance on First Aid for Schools: A Good Practice Guide, Department for Education and Employment, 1996.

School emergency-management plan Health and safety in schools School security Educational visits First aid Assessment of first-aid needs Appointed person First-aider Qualifications and training Materials, equipment and facilities Hygiene and infection control Recording and reporting Informing staff Evacuation procedures Calling emergency services Counselling Media Handling Communicating with parents	First-aider There are no rules on the exact number of first-aid personnel. This will be a judgment based upon local circumstances and a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. See Guidance on First Aid for Schools: A Good Practice Guide (sections 43 to 46) for guidance on numbers. Unless first-aid cover is part of a staff member's contractual duties, first-aiders are selected on a voluntary basis. First-aiders must complete a training course approved by the HSE. First-aiders’ main duties are to give immediate help to casualties with common injuries and those arising from specific hazards at school, and, when necessary, to ensure that an ambulance or other professional medical help is called. When considering first-aiders, governing bodies and head teachers should take into account an individual's: Reliability and communication skills Aptitude and ability to absorb new knowledge and learn new skills Ability to cope with stressful and physically demanding emergency procedures Normal duties: a first-aider must be able to leave their usual post and go immediately to an emergency Source: Guidance on First Aid for Schools: A Good Practice Guide, Department for Education and Employment, 1996.	Emergency services
The advice contained on this site should not be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law. That is a matter for the courts.