Further Knowledge and Skills in Paediatric First Aid
Paediatric first aid requires recognising signs of illness and injury in children, assessing situations, and providing appropriate first aid. Key topics include CPR, choking, bleeding, fractures, and allergic reactions. The focus is on adapting techniques for infants and children.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The CTQ Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid is a vocationally-related qualification designed for individuals working with children, such as early years practitioners, childminders, and nursery staff. It covers essential life-saving skills and knowledge required to manage emergencies involving infants and children up to puberty. This qualification meets the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is recognised by Ofsted, making it a critical component for anyone responsible for children's safety in a professional setting.
The course focuses on practical first aid techniques tailored to paediatric anatomy and physiology, including resuscitation, choking, bleeding, fractures, and allergic reactions. It also addresses common childhood illnesses and conditions like meningitis, asthma, and anaphylaxis. Understanding these topics is vital because children's bodies respond differently to emergencies compared to adults, and prompt, correct action can significantly reduce harm and save lives.
Within the wider Health & Social Care curriculum, this qualification complements units on safeguarding, health promotion, and risk assessment. It equips students with the confidence to handle real-life emergencies, reinforcing the importance of prevention, early intervention, and effective communication with emergency services. Mastery of paediatric first aid not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also enhances employability in childcare and education roles.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →The ABCDE approach (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) for assessing and managing an unresponsive child or infant.
- →Paediatric basic life support (BLS) including chest compression-to-ventilation ratios (30:2 for single rescuer, 15:2 for two rescuers) and correct hand placement for infants vs. children.
- →Management of choking: back blows and chest thrusts for infants, abdominal thrusts for children over 1 year.
- →Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis using an auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) and the importance of calling 999/112.
- →Control of severe bleeding using direct pressure, elevation, and tourniquets as a last resort, plus signs of shock.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1. Know how to recognise the presence of illness and injury2. Assess a range of paediatric first aid situations in order to provide first aid3. Provide appropriate first aid in a range of situations, for casualties with differing conditions
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Recognises signs of common paediatric illnesses and injuries (e.g., meningitis, asthma, burns).
- Assesses a paediatric first aid situation correctly, prioritising actions.
- Provides appropriate first aid for conditions such as choking, bleeding, and anaphylaxis.
- Demonstrates correct CPR technique for infants and children.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Practice on manikins to build muscle memory for CPR.
- 💡Memorise the differences in first aid for infants vs children.
- 💡Stay calm and follow the DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) protocol.
- 💡When answering scenario-based questions, always start with the ABCDE assessment and prioritise life-threatening conditions (e.g., airway obstruction, cardiac arrest) over minor injuries. Show the sequence of actions clearly.
- 💡Memorise the specific ratios and depths for CPR: for children (1-12 years), compress at least 5 cm at a rate of 100-120 per minute; for infants, compress about 4 cm. Use two fingers for infants and one or two hands for children.
- 💡Know the differences between anaphylaxis and asthma: anaphylaxis often involves skin reactions (hives, swelling) and rapid onset, while asthma is primarily respiratory with wheezing. Both require immediate use of their respective inhalers/auto-injectors.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Using adult CPR ratios for children or infants.
- Failing to call for emergency help when needed.
- Not considering the child's developmental stage when assessing.
- Misconception: You should put something in a child's mouth during a seizure to prevent tongue biting. Correction: Never put anything in the mouth; instead, protect the child from injury and time the seizure. Call 999 if it lasts more than 5 minutes.
- Misconception: For a nosebleed, tilt the child's head back. Correction: Tilt the head forward to prevent blood from flowing down the throat, which can cause choking or vomiting. Pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes.
- Misconception: If a child is choking, you should perform a finger sweep to remove the object. Correction: Only do a finger sweep if you can see the object; blind sweeps can push it further down. Use back blows and chest/abdominal thrusts instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for CERTIFY TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS Further Knowledge and Skills in Paediatric First Aid
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology, particularly the respiratory and circulatory systems.
- •Familiarity with general first aid principles, such as the primary survey and recovery position.
- •Knowledge of safeguarding and health and safety regulations in childcare settings (e.g., EYFS requirements).
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1. Know how to recognise the presence of illness and injury2. Assess a range of paediatric first aid situations in order to provide first aid3. Provide appropriate first aid in a range of situations, for casualties with differing conditions
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