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First Aid at Work Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that {{org_field_name}} provides adequate and appropriate first aid arrangements, equipment, and training to protect staff, service users, and visitors in case of injury, illness, or medical emergencies. This policy sets out how first aid is managed efficiently within our domiciliary care service, ensuring that prompt and effective treatment is available at all times.

This policy has regard to, and is informed by, the following legislation and statutory guidance (as amended from time to time):

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and HSE guidance, including First aid at work: Guidance on regulations (L74).
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (including the requirement to assess risks and implement appropriate controls).
• Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), where a work-related incident meets reporting thresholds.
• Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
• Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 and the Welsh Ministers’ statutory guidance for regulated services.
• The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 (including Schedule 3 notifications).

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees, including care workers, managers, and administrative staff.
• Service users receiving care at home.
• Visitors, contractors, and external professionals attending service users’ homes or company premises.

It covers:

• First aid responsibilities and procedures.
• Training and competency requirements.
• First aid kits and equipment.
• Handling medical emergencies.
• Incident reporting and record-keeping.
• Review and monitoring of first aid procedures.

3. First Aid Responsibilities

3.1 Responsibilities of the Registered Manager

The Registered Manager is responsible for:

• Ensuring that appropriate first aid arrangements are in place.
• Appointing trained first aiders and ensuring sufficient cover during working hours.
• Providing and maintaining first aid kits and equipment.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and CIW regulations.

3.2 Responsibilities of First Aiders

First aiders are responsible for:

• Administering first aid when required.
• Assessing injuries and deciding on further medical assistance (e.g., calling emergency services).
• Keeping first aid records and incident reports.
• Ensuring that first aid kits are stocked and accessible.

3.3 Responsibilities of All Employees

All employees must:

• Familiarise themselves with first aid procedures and who the first aiders are.
• Follow first aid training guidance when dealing with minor injuries.
• Report injuries or medical emergencies immediately.

3.4 First Aid Needs Assessment (First Aid Risk Assessment)

The Registered Manager (or delegated competent person) will complete and keep under review a written First Aid Needs Assessment to determine the level of first aid provision required for the service. This assessment will be reviewed at least annually and sooner following significant change (e.g., new service type, staffing changes, incident trends, new risks identified, or updated guidance).

The assessment will consider, as a minimum:

• the nature of domiciliary care activities undertaken (including moving/handling, personal care, community visits, medication support tasks, and any clinical tasks where applicable);
• the dispersed/lone-working model and ability to access first aid quickly during visits and travel;
• out-of-hours arrangements and escalation routes;
• service users’ known risks (e.g., falls risk, choking risk, epilepsy, diabetes, anaphylaxis) as recorded in personal plans/risk assessments;
• staff factors (new starters, young workers, pregnancy, underlying health conditions, and mental health considerations within first-aid provision);
• location factors (remote/rural areas, mobile phone coverage, distance from emergency services);
• the type and quantity of first aid equipment required (including whether AED access or a life-threatening bleeding capability is needed).

The findings will be documented and will specify:

• (a) how many trained first aiders are required,
• (b) what level of training is needed (appointed person, EFAW or FAW),
• (c) where kits/equipment must be located and what they must contain, and
• (d) how first aid cover is maintained during annual leave/sickness and out of hours.

4. First Aid Training and Competency Requirements

4.1 First Aid Training Requirements

All care workers will receive first aid awareness as part of induction, proportionate to their role and the service’s First Aid Needs Assessment.

The service will ensure sufficient cover by staff who hold a current and appropriate first aid qualification, as identified by the First Aid Needs Assessment, which may include:

• Appointed Person (to take charge of first aid arrangements and call emergency services) where this is suitable; and/or
• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and/or First Aid at Work (FAW) trained first aiders, depending on the risks and operating model of the service.

Where the service provides care to children as part of its regulated activity, the training matrix will also specify paediatric first aid requirements for relevant staff.

4.2 Refresher / Requalification And Competence Assurance

First aid certificates used for workplace compliance purposes are valid for three years and must be renewed before expiry.

To maintain competence, the service will ensure first aiders complete annual refresher training / skills updates (recommended best practice) and will use supervision, scenario practice, and incident debriefs to identify any additional training needs.

5. First Aid Kits and Equipment

5.1 First Aid Kit Locations

The service will ensure first aid supplies are immediately accessible to staff during working hours, including while working alone in the community. As a minimum:

• First aid kits must be available at:
• a fully stocked first aid kit will be maintained at the main office (where applicable);
• each care worker will carry a small, sealed portable first aid kit (or have immediate access to one in their work bag) during domiciliary visits;
• service vehicles (where used as part of service delivery) will hold an appropriately stocked kit.

The service will not rely on first aid supplies held by individuals in their own homes as the primary means of provision; however, staff may use an individual’s supplies with consent where appropriate and safe to do so.

5.2 First Aid Kit Contents

First aid kit contents will be determined by the First Aid Needs Assessment. As a minimum guide, kits will include:

• a first aid guidance leaflet;
• individually wrapped sterile plasters (assorted sizes);
• sterile eye pads;
• individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile);
• safety pins;
• large and medium sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound dressings; and
• disposable gloves.

Additional items (e.g., resuscitation face shield, scissors, foil blanket, burn dressings, eyewash) will be provided where identified as necessary by risk assessment.
No medicines or creams will be stored in workplace first aid kits.

6. Handling Medical Emergencies

6.1 Responding to Minor Injuries

• Minor injuries (cuts, bruises) should be cleaned and dressed using first aid supplies.
• The incident must be recorded, and the service user or staff member monitored for any further symptoms.

6.2 Responding to Major Medical Emergencies

For serious injuries or life-threatening conditions, staff must:

1. Call 999 immediately and request emergency medical assistance.
2. Provide first aid care until paramedics arrive.
3. Reassure and monitor the service user.
4. Inform the service user’s next of kin if applicable.
5. Complete an incident report detailing the events and actions taken.

6.3 Dealing with Unconscious Individuals

• Check for responsiveness – If no response, call 999 immediately.
• Perform CPR if necessary, using a resuscitation face shield.
• Ensure the airway is open and clear to aid breathing.
• Place the individual in the recovery position if they are breathing but unconscious.

6.4 Managing Choking Incidents

• Encourage the person to cough forcefully.
• If unable to breathe, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre).
• If they become unconscious, start CPR and call 999.

6.5 Stroke Awareness (FAST Test)

• Face – Is one side drooping?
• Arms – Can they lift both arms equally?
• Speech – Is their speech slurred or confused?
• Time – Call 999 immediately if any of these symptoms are present.

6.6 Mental health and welfare emergencies

Where a person experiences acute distress or a mental health crisis, staff will respond in line with their training, seek urgent clinical advice where needed (999 / NHS 111 as appropriate), and escalate to the on-call manager. The service’s First Aid Needs Assessment will consider whether additional training (e.g., mental health first aid / crisis awareness) is appropriate for the service model.

7. Incident Reporting and Record-Keeping

7.1 Recording First Aid Incidents

• All first aid incidents must be documented in the Accident Report Book.
• Reports should include:
  • Date, time, and location of the incident.
  • Details of the injury or medical emergency.
  • Actions taken by first aiders.
  • Whether further medical treatment was required.

7.2 RIDDOR reporting (work-related incidents involving staff)

Where a work-related incident involving an employee or worker meets the reporting thresholds under RIDDOR (e.g., specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, dangerous occurrences), the Registered Manager (or delegated competent person) will ensure the incident is reported to the enforcing authority within the required timescales and that records are retained.

7.3 Notifications to CIW

Where an incident meets the criteria for notification under the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017, including Schedule 3, the Registered Manager (or delegated authorised person) will notify CIW without delay and in writing, using the method and form required by CIW (normally CIW Online).

This includes (but is not limited to) a serious accident or injury to an individual.
When deciding if an accident/injury is notifiable, the service will have regard to the statutory guidance (for example: where, in the reasonable opinion of a healthcare professional, treatment is required and the injury has or may have resulted in significant harm such as impairment lasting more than 28 days, prolonged pain/psychological harm, structural change, or death/shortened life expectancy).

In addition to CIW notification requirements, the service will consider and action any required notifications/referrals to other agencies (e.g., safeguarding referrals to the local authority, police reporting, or RIDDOR reporting for qualifying work-related incidents).

8. Monitoring and Compliance

• The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with first aid regulations.
• Quarterly audits are conducted to check:
  • The availability and condition of first aid kits.
  • Training records of first aiders.
  • Compliance with reporting procedures.
• CIW inspections will assess first aid preparedness during regulatory audits.

9. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Health and Safety at Work Policy (DCW16).
• Infection Prevention and Control Policy (DCW17).
• Risk Management and Assessment Policy (DCW18).
• Emergency and Business Continuity Plan (DCW19).
• Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures (DCW20).

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by legislative updates, CIW guidance, or operational needs.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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