Due Diligence
Rescue Emergency Care and due diligence
Rescue Emergency Care (REC) acts as an umbrella organisation providing support to independent trainers across the UK and Ireland. REC does not directly run courses, REC exists solely to support independent trainers, many of whom are in competition with each other.
REC was approved by the HSE to deliver First Aid at Work (FAW) courses from 1995 until HSE withdrew from approving providers in October 2013.
REC was also approved by the HSENI to deliver First Aid at Work (FAW) courses from 2006 until HSENI withdrew from approving providers in October 2017.
In this time REC has established an enviable reputation for the delivery of high quality and appropriate courses, not only First Aid at Work but also a range of specialist outdoor courses.
HSE Due Diligence questions
From October 2013, the HSE will no longer monitor or approve First Aid at Work training providers in England, Wales and Scotland. Instead, companies are advised to carry out due diligence on any training provider that they might use, and HSE have published a list of questions that you should be asking of the provider. We have the questions here, along with answers.
From October 2017, the HSENI will no longer monitor or approve First Aid at Work training providers in Northern Ireland. Again companies are advised to carry out due diligence on any training provider that they might use.
Trainers / Asessors
Do the trainers/assessors have a current FAW certificate?
Yes, all REC trainers have current FAW certificates. These are updated every 3 years.
Do the trainers/assessors have an appropriate training/assessing qualification?
Yes, all REC Trainers have a REC trainer certificate, and are required to work alongside other trainers until they demonstrate appropriate competence to deliver unsupervised. Also all trainers hold formal teaching, training or coaching qualifications, in line with HSE recommendations.
Quality Assurance
Is there a documented quality assurance plan designating an individual to take responsibility for quality assurance, including assessment of the performance of trainers/assessors at least annually?
Yes, there is a QA plan. All REC trainers have a CPD requirement, and are required to be assessed running first aid courses and verified as competent assessors. This is a requirement of both the HSE and REC.
Does the designated person have a current FAW certificate?
Yes, David Preece (REC QA & Training advisor) is the designated person and he holds a current FAW Certificate.
Does the designated person have an assessing/verifying qualification?
Yes, David Preece holds an MSc in Training, Level 4 SVQ in Learning & Development, and delivers “Training for Trainers” (Including assessing for level 3 & 4 SVQ in “Learning & Development”, and SQA Trainer, Assessor and Verifier “Professional Development Awards”).
Is there a documented course evaluation procedure?
Yes, all course participants are asked to provide feedback on evaluation forms towards the end of all courses. These are collated and reviewed by REC.
Is there a documented complaints procedure?
Yes, within the Quality Plan there is a defined complaints procedure. This is provided to all course candidates.
Teaching currently accepted first-aid practice
Is FAW/EFAW taught in accordance with current guidelines on adult basic life support published by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and for other aspects of first aid, in accordance with current guidelines published by the Voluntary Aid Societies?
Yes, the syllabus is taken from the relevant guidelines of UK Resuscitation Council & VAC’s.
Further guidance is provided by Dr Robert Phillips, and other appropriately qualified individuals within REC.
REC provides trainers with advice on acceptable practice for both standard first aid, and more specialist requirements.
Training syllabus
Does the course content adequately meet the needs of your workplace as indicated by your first-aid needs assessment?
Courses will cover “core” requirements as indicated by HSE guidelines. Additional topics to be covered can be arranged in consultation with the individual REC provider.
For FAW, does the syllabus include the topics in Appendix 1 & does the course include at least 18 contact hours, over 3 days?
Yes, See above answer. REC meets all the standards laid down by the HSE.
For FAW requalification, does the syllabus include the topics in Appendix 1 & does the course last at least 12 contact hours, over 2 days?
Yes, See above answer. REC meets all the standards laid down by the HSE.
For EFAW, does the syllabus include the topics listed in Appendix 2 and does the course last 6 contact hours?
Yes, See above answer. REC meets all the standards laid down by the HSE.
For EFAW requalification, does the syllabus include the topics listed in Appendix 2 and does the course last at least 6 contact hours?
Yes, See above answer. REC meets all the standards laid down by the HSE.
Certificates
Do the certificates issued to students assessed as competent contain the name of the training organisation, the title of the qualification (eg FAW or EFAW), reference to the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, the date of issue and confirmation the certificate is valid for three years?
Yes, certificates contain the name of the training organisation (REC), the individual training provider, title of the qualification, the date of issue and confirmation the certificate is valid for three years. Where appropriate (FAW, EFAW) certificates include reference to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations (NI) 1982.