Managing Paediatric Illness, Injuries and Emergencies
This topic covers first aid for infants and children with injuries, medical conditions, and emergencies. It includes managing fractures, head injuries, burns, poisoning, anaphylaxis, and more.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The Highfield Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) equips learners with the essential skills and knowledge to provide first aid to infants and children up to the age of puberty. This qualification is specifically designed for those working in childcare settings, such as nursery practitioners, childminders, and nannies, and meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. The course covers a wide range of emergency scenarios, including resuscitation, choking, bleeding, fractures, and allergic reactions, with a strong emphasis on the anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults.
Mastering paediatric first aid is not only a legal requirement for many childcare roles but also a critical life skill that can save lives. The training focuses on practical, hands-on techniques, such as infant and child CPR using a ratio of 5 initial breaths followed by 15 compressions (for children) or 5:1 for infants (as per current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines). Learners also explore how to assess an emergency situation, prioritise care, and communicate effectively with emergency services. This topic builds on basic first aid principles but tailors them specifically to the unique needs of younger patients, making it indispensable for anyone responsible for children's safety.
Within the broader Health & Social Care curriculum, paediatric first aid sits alongside safeguarding, health promotion, and risk assessment. It reinforces the importance of proactive prevention and rapid response in early years settings. By completing this award, students demonstrate their competence in maintaining a safe environment and their readiness to handle medical emergencies calmly and effectively—a key attribute for professionals working with vulnerable groups.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →The primary survey (DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and how to adapt it for infants and children, including checking for responsiveness by tapping the foot (infant) or asking questions (child).
- →Resuscitation protocols: For infants (under 1 year), give 5 initial rescue breaths followed by 15 chest compressions (2 fingers, 4cm depth) and 2 breaths, repeating cycles. For children (1 year to puberty), give 5 initial breaths then 15 compressions (one hand, 5cm depth) and 2 breaths.
- →Management of choking: For infants, use back blows (5) and chest thrusts (5) in cycles; for children over 1 year, use abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre) after back blows.
- →Recovery position for infants and children: Infants are held in a 'cradle' position with head tilted down; children are placed on their side with the top leg bent and head tilted back to maintain an open airway.
- →Recognition and treatment of common paediatric emergencies: febrile seizures, anaphylaxis (use of auto-injectors), asthma attacks, severe bleeding (direct pressure and elevation), and fractures (immobilisation and splinting).
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1. Be able to provide first aid to an infant or a child with suspected injuries to bones, muscles and joints2. Be able to provide first aid to an infant or a child with suspected head and spinal injuries3. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with conditions affecting the eyes, ears and nose4. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with an acute medical condition or sudden illness5. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child who is experiencing extremes of body temperature6. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child who has sustained an electric shock7. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with burns and scalds8. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with suspected poisoning9. Be able to provide first aid to an infant or a child with anaphylaxis
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Apply appropriate first aid for suspected fractures and dislocations.
- Manage head and spinal injuries with minimal movement.
- Recognise and treat anaphylaxis using an auto-injector.
- Provide first aid for burns, scalds, and electric shock.
- Identify signs of poisoning and administer first aid.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Practise using training auto-injectors.
- 💡Memorise the recovery position for infants and children.
- 💡Know the signs of anaphylaxis and severe allergic reaction.
- 💡In practical assessments, always verbalise your actions clearly. For example, when checking for danger, say 'I am checking the area for hazards' and when calling 999, state 'I am calling 999 and putting the phone on speaker.' This shows the examiner you understand the sequence and reasoning.
- 💡Memorise the exact ratios for CPR: 5 initial breaths then 15 compressions for children, and 5 initial breaths then 15 compressions for infants (with 2 breaths after every 15 compressions). Many students mix up the ratios, so practice until automatic.
- 💡For the written exam, focus on the differences between infant and child first aid. Questions often ask you to compare techniques (e.g., 'Describe how you would manage choking in a 9-month-old vs a 4-year-old'). Use specific age-related details to secure full marks.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Moving a child with suspected spinal injury unnecessarily.
- Using incorrect dosage or method for auto-injectors.
- Applying butter or ice directly to burns.
- Misconception: You should put something in a choking child's mouth to dislodge the object. Correction: Never perform a finger sweep unless you can see the object; this can push it further down. Use back blows and chest/abdominal thrusts only.
- Misconception: CPR for children is the same as for adults. Correction: Children require 5 initial rescue breaths (not 2) due to higher risk of respiratory arrest, and compression depth is shallower (one-third of chest depth). For infants, use two fingers for compressions.
- Misconception: If a child is unconscious but breathing, you should put them in the recovery position immediately. Correction: While the recovery position is correct, you must first ensure the airway is open and call for emergency help. For infants, hold them in a recovery position with head tilted down to prevent aspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for HIGHFIELD QUALIFICATIONS Managing Paediatric Illness, Injuries and Emergencies
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 first aid principles, such as the chain of survival and universal precautions (e.g., wearing gloves).
- •Knowledge of the human body's major systems (respiratory, circulatory, skeletal) at a GCSE level, as the course refers to anatomical differences in children.
- •Familiarity with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, particularly the requirements for first aid provision in childcare settings.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1. Be able to provide first aid to an infant or a child with suspected injuries to bones, muscles and joints2. Be able to provide first aid to an infant or a child with suspected head and spinal injuries3. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with conditions affecting the eyes, ears and nose4. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with an acute medical condition or sudden illness5. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child who is experiencing extremes of body temperature6. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child who has sustained an electric shock7. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with burns and scalds8. Know how to provide first aid to an infant or a child with suspected poisoning9. Be able to provide first aid to an infant or a child with anaphylaxis
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