The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA) is a specialised professional qualification designed to develop essential first aid knowledge and practical response skills for situations involving babies, children, and young people. The programme provides a structured foundation in paediatric first aid, helping the learner understand how to recognise injuries and illness, assess a child’s condition, and provide appropriate initial care.
This Paediatric First Aid (PFA) Diploma covers important areas of child-focused first aid, including CPR, choking, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, bleeding, burns, fractures, shock, seizures, allergic reactions, and other common childhood emergencies. The 30-hour programme combines essential knowledge with practical first aid principles relevant to childcare and child supervision environments.
The qualification is suitable for childcare professionals, nursery staff, childminders, teachers, teaching assistants, healthcare support staff, parents, carers, youth workers, and individuals seeking professional development in paediatric first aid and child safety.
By completing the OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA), the learner can strengthen emergency preparedness, develop greater confidence in responding to childhood incidents, and build valuable skills applicable across nurseries, schools, childcare centres, recreational settings, and other child-focused environments. The programme supports safer practices and responsible approaches to paediatric care.
All About OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA)
Course Overview
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA) is a specialised professional qualification awarded by OSHAA, designed to develop essential knowledge and practical first aid skills for responding to injuries, illness, and emergencies involving babies and children. The 30-hour Professional Diploma focuses on Paediatric First Aid, with flexible learning delivery and course-based assessment, making it suitable for childcare, education, healthcare, and other child-focused environments.
The programme covers key Paediatric First Aid principles, including CPR, choking, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, bleeding, burns, fractures, shock, seizures, allergic reactions, and other common childhood incidents. The course helps the learner understand age-appropriate first aid responses and appropriate emergency procedures.
This qualification is suitable for childcare professionals, nursery staff, childminders, teachers, teaching assistants, carers, healthcare support staff, and child-focused personnel seeking professional development in paediatric first aid, emergency response, and child safety.
Entry Requirement
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA) has simple and accessible entry requirements for individuals seeking professional paediatric first aid skills.
- Age: 16 years or above.
- Experience: No previous paediatric first aid experience required.
- Language Proficiency: Basic English understanding.
- Educational Background: No formal qualification required.
Study Units
This qualification, OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA), consists of 9 mandatory units.
- Introduction to Paediatric First Aid and Legal Responsibilities (2 Hours)
- Understanding Child Physiology and Emergency Response Principles (3 Hours)
- Primary Survey, Casualty Assessment, and Recovery Position for Infants and Children (3 Hours)
- Paediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Operation (5 Hours)
- Management of Unconscious Infants and Children (4 Hours)
- Control of Bleeding, Wound Care, and Shock Management in Children (4 Hours)
- First Aid for Burns, Scalds, and Thermal Injuries in Paediatric Cases (4 Hours)
- Managing Fractures, Sprains, and Soft Tissue Injuries in Children (3 Hours)
- Response to Common Paediatric Medical Emergencies: Asthma, Seizures, and Allergic Reactions (2 Hours)
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Introduction to Paediatric First Aid and Legal Responsibilities (2 Hours)
- Understand the principles and scope of paediatric first aid.
- Recognise the legal and ethical responsibilities of providing first aid to children.
- Identify the importance of accurate record-keeping and incident reporting.
Understanding Child Physiology and Emergency Response Principles (3 Hours)
- Understand key differences between adult and child anatomy and physiology.
- Recognise signs of medical distress in infants and children.
- Apply basic emergency response protocols tailored to paediatric needs.
Primary Survey, Casualty Assessment, and Recovery Position for Infants and Children (3 Hours)
- Conduct a structured primary survey for paediatric emergencies.
- Perform an effective casualty assessment to identify priorities for care.
- Demonstrate correct techniques for placing infants and children in the recovery position.
Paediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED Operation (5 Hours)
- Demonstrate paediatric-specific CPR techniques for infants and children.
- Safely operate an Automated External Defibrillator in paediatric emergencies.
- Integrate CPR and AED use into an effective resuscitation sequence.
Management of Unconscious Infants and Children (4 Hours)
- Identify causes of unconsciousness in paediatric cases.
- Apply safe handling techniques to maintain airway and breathing.
- Implement appropriate care while awaiting advanced medical support.
Control of Bleeding, Wound Care, and Shock Management in Children (4 Hours)
- Identify different types of bleeding in paediatric patients.
- Apply correct first aid techniques for wound cleaning and dressing.
- Recognise and manage signs of shock in children effectively.
First Aid for Burns, Scalds, and Thermal Injuries in Paediatric Cases (4 Hours)
- Distinguish between different degrees of burns in children.
- Apply immediate and effective treatment for burns and scalds.
- Understand when to seek urgent medical care for burn injuries.
Managing Fractures, Sprains, and Soft Tissue Injuries in Children (3 Hours)
- Identify common musculoskeletal injuries in paediatric patients.
- Apply safe immobilisation techniques for fractures and sprains.
- Provide appropriate first aid to minimise further injury.
Response to Common Paediatric Medical Emergencies: Asthma, Seizures, and Allergic Reactions (2 Hours)
- Understand the importance of rapid response and escalation of care.
- Recognise symptoms of asthma attacks, seizures, and severe allergic reactions.
- Apply correct first aid techniques for each medical emergency.
Ideal Candidate
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA) is suitable for individuals responsible for the care, supervision, education, or safety of children.
- Childcare professionals working with babies and children
- Nursery staff supporting children’s daily safety
- Early-years practitioners in childcare environments
- Childminders providing professional childcare services
- Teachers responsible for children’s classroom safety
- Teaching assistants supporting pupils in schools
- School staff involved in child safety procedures
- Healthcare staff supporting paediatric care services
- Residential childcare workers supporting young people
- Youth workers supervising children in community settings
- Sports coaches working with children and young people
FAQs OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Paediatric First Aid (PFA)
