Skip to main content

First Response

The minimum first aid requirement for volunteers in Scouting. It covers the skills and knowledge necessary to manage an incident and provide basic first aid.

Quick links

Who needs First Response?

We encourage everybody in Scouts to undertake first aid learning.

First Response learning is currently required by volunteers who hold the following roles or accreditations:

  • Section Team Members and Section Team Leaders
  • Group Lead Volunteers
  • 14-24 Team Leaders
  • First Response Trainers
  • Or those who may be reasonably expected to work directly with young people on a regular basis

The definitive guide to who is required to complete the First Response learning is in POR Chapter 16: Teams table. 

First Response learning, where required, must be completed within 12 months.  It is valid for 3 years and must be renewed where the member still holds one of the above roles or accreditations or where a member chooses to complete the learning.

First Response guidance for trainers and learners

Volunteers with external qualifications and professional learning

First Response is specifically designed to cater for Scout and Guide activities, therefore it does not quite align with the content of any external award or qualification.

Volunteers who hold an external certificate are welcome to use that towards completing First Response.

In order to convert an external first aid award or qualification, a First Response trainer will support members to identify and meet any skills or knowledge gaps.

Learn more about using external qualifications

What does First Response cover?

First Response has been designed to cover key medical emergencies and conditions relevant to Scouts and Girlguiding, supporting members from Squirrels through to Adults.

The content is regularly reviewed based on current first aid practice and incident reporting to Headquarters to make sure it remains valid to the movement. First Response is a minimum requirement. Activity rules (POR) and local risk assessments will highlight if and when further first aid skills or qualifications are required.

Discover the content in First Response

Reasonable adjustments

To achieve the First Response skill, members must meet all elements in the First Response content.  In the case of members who are unable to complete the learning for physical or other reasons, reasonable adjustments can be made. These should be discussed with the First Response Trainer or organiser, if possible, ahead of the learning.

Find out about reasonable adjustments for First Response

Delivering adventurous or remote activities

When delivering some activities you may need additional first aid learning appropriate to the location of the activity.

Learn more about first aid learning for activities

First aid and medical insurance

Further guidance on what insurance is in place for provision of first aid at Scouts activities.

Discover more about first aid and insurance