British Red Cross first aid training courses for UK workplaces. The British Red Cross is one of the UK’s most trusted first aid training organisations and is acknowledged by the Health and Safety Executive as a standard setter for first aid training, delivering HSE-compliant courses to thousands of organisations every year.
Courses cover Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), First Aid at Work (FAW), requalification and IFE-accredited fire marshal training, at venues across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All are delivered by qualified British Red Cross instructors and lead to certificates recognised by employers across every industry. Classroom and on-site delivery options are available.
As a registered charity, the operating surplus from Red Cross training goes into their Charity Fund — so training your team also supports their humanitarian work.
Included free Safe Hands and a free mental health course
Every learner who completes a British Red Cross workplace first aid course is entitled to free sign-up to Safe Hands — a monthly e-newsletter of first aid refreshers, technique videos, quizzes, legislation updates and real-life stories, designed to keep your skills current between certificates.
Learners completing EFAW, FAW or First Aid at Work Requalification are also eligible for a free 30-minute Mental Health for First Aiders online course, introducing the skills needed to support someone experiencing a mental health issue. Terms and conditions apply.
British Red Cross first aid courses
Four workplace courses, all leading to certificates valid for three years. Which level you need comes from your first aid needs assessment rather than headcount alone.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
One-day HSE-compliant course for nominated first aiders in lower-hazard workplaces such as offices, shops and call centres. Covers the essential skills needed to respond confidently to a workplace emergency.
- CPR and AED use
- Choking — adult and child
- Unresponsive casualty and recovery position
- Bleeding control and wound management
- Shock, burns and minor injuries
First Aid at Work (FAW)
Comprehensive three-day HSE-compliant course, normally identified for higher-hazard workplaces and larger organisations. Covers the full EFAW syllabus plus a wider range of emergency scenarios and injury management.
- Everything in EFAW, plus
- Managing an incident and casualty assessment
- Fractures, spinal injuries and dislocations
- Chest injuries and breathing difficulties
- Anaphylaxis, seizures, stroke and diabetic emergencies
- Eye injuries and poisoning
First Aid at Work Refresher (FAWR)
Two-day requalification course for those renewing an existing FAW certificate. Refreshes practical skills and updates knowledge against current HSE guidance.
Book it before your three-year certificate expires. Once lapsed, requalification is no longer available and the full three-day FAW course must be retaken — two days becomes three, at greater cost and more time off site.
Fire Marshal (Fire Warden) Training
One-day course accredited by the Institution of Fire Engineers, for nominated fire marshals and wardens. Fire marshal and fire warden are the same role — the legislation uses neither term.
- Fire safety legislation and the responsible person
- How fires start, spread and behave
- Fire prevention and risk reduction
- Fire marshal roles and responsibilities
- Evacuation procedures and assembly points
- Fire extinguisher types and safe use
Who should attend
British Red Cross training questions
Is a British Red Cross certificate as good as St John Ambulance?
Yes. Both deliver HSE-compliant EFAW and FAW qualifications and the certificates carry equal weight with employers and enforcing authorities. The British Red Cross is additionally acknowledged by HSE as a standard setter for first aid training. What differs between providers is venue coverage, available dates and format — not the value of the qualification. Compare all three on our first aid training page.
EFAW or FAW — which do we need?
It comes from your first aid needs assessment rather than headcount alone. EFAW suits lower-hazard workplaces; FAW is normally identified where the work itself could cause more serious injury — machinery, chemicals, working at height, vehicles. A large office may need only EFAW; a small workshop may need FAW. Our free needs assessment tool works it out in a couple of minutes.
What happens if our FAW certificate has expired?
Requalification is no longer available and the full three-day FAW course must be retaken. There is no retrospective renewal, so diary the expiry a few months ahead — popular venues and dates book up.
Can training be delivered at our premises?
Yes. On-site delivery is available for all four courses and usually works out cheaper per head for groups, as well as removing travel time. It also lets the session reference your own layout, equipment and AED location, and aligns everyone’s certificate expiry dates for easier renewal planning.
Where does the British Red Cross deliver training?
At training venues across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and on-site at your own premises. Open the course you need to see live dates and locations, and filter by county, town or postcode.
Related first aid training
Envico is an independent training intermediary. We connect delegates with accredited training providers and do not deliver or accredit training ourselves. Safe Hands and the Mental Health for First Aiders course are provided by the British Red Cross, and eligibility and terms are set by them.
Additional British Red Cross courses
First Aid for Appointed Persons
A short course for those appointed to take charge of first aid arrangements in lower-risk workplaces. Covers basic life support, managing an unresponsive casualty and calling emergency services. Suitable for workplaces that do not require a fully qualified first aider.
Paediatric First Aid
A two-day course for those who work with or care for babies and children — including childminders, nursery workers, nannies and school staff. Meets Ofsted requirements for childcare registration and covers infant and child CPR, choking, allergic reactions, illness and injury management.
Mental Health Awareness for Managers
Practical training for managers and supervisors on recognising and responding to mental health issues in the workplace. Covers common mental health conditions, how to have supportive conversations and when to signpost to professional support.
Stress Management at Work
Training covering the causes and effects of workplace stress, practical coping strategies and how organisations can reduce stress-related absence and presenteeism.
Building Team Resilience at Work
A course helping teams develop resilience, improve wellbeing and maintain performance under pressure. Based on the British Red Cross psychosocial framework.
Wellbeing Support at Work
Training for those with a wellbeing support role in the workplace. Covers recognising signs of distress, providing initial support and signposting colleagues to appropriate professional help.
Free mental health add-on with every first aid booking
Every learner who completes a British Red Cross EFAW, FAW or FAWR course receives access to a free 30-minute Mental Health for First Aiders online course.
- Available to all learners who complete a one, two or three-day first aid at work course
- Provides essential skills for supporting colleagues experiencing a mental health crisis
- An introduction to mental health at work training — not a replacement for dedicated mental health first aid courses
- Does not affect first aid at work certification
- Access details sent by email within ten days of completing the first aid course
The British Red Cross has been delivering workplace first aid training for over 40 years, making it one of the UK’s most experienced and trusted first aid training organisations. As a voluntary aid society recognised by the Health and Safety Executive, the British Red Cross delivers regulated first aid training to thousands of organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland every year.
All courses are designed and delivered entirely by qualified British Red Cross instructors, with a customer satisfaction rating of 99%. Certificates are HSE-compliant and recognised by employers across all industries. Training is available at classroom venues nationwide and on-site at your premises.
Why choose British Red Cross first aid training
Over 40 years of workplace training
The British Red Cross has been delivering regulated workplace first aid training for over four decades, with a depth of expertise and institutional knowledge unmatched in the sector.
HSE recognised
The British Red Cross is one of the voluntary aid societies recognised by the HSE as a standard setter for first aid at work training, and is one of three authors of the current UK first aid manual.
IFE accredited fire marshal training
British Red Cross fire marshal training is accredited by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) — a mark of quality that sets it apart from non-accredited fire marshal courses.
99% customer satisfaction
The British Red Cross consistently achieves a 99% customer satisfaction rating across its workplace training programmes — reflecting the quality of its instructors and course content.