Use our free first aid needs assessment template to find out what first aid provision your workplace requires. Rather than a blank form to puzzle over, it asks you a few simple questions and fills itself in — giving you instant, personalised guidance on screen, with no consultants and no cost. Based on current HSE guidance (L74) and DfE/Ofsted guidance for schools, it takes under 10 minutes.
Whether you need a first aid needs assessment for schools, offices, construction sites, factories or any other workplace — our free self-assessment wizard covers all sectors and automatically adjusts its guidance to your industry and risk level.
Completely free — no registration required. See your risk level, your suggested number of first aiders and how many actions you have, straight away on screen. Enter your email address to read the full action plan and receive your free first aid needs assessment PDF report. You can also create a free account to save your assessment and receive automatic review reminders.
Tip — already done this once? Even if nothing has changed since your last assessment, running it again today and emailing the PDF to yourself shows that you have actively reviewed your provision on this date. It demonstrates a regular review cycle and counts towards your compliance and safety-check evidence — useful for HSE inspections, insurance renewals and audits.
Answer a few simple questions and get instant, personalised guidance on screen — no sign-up, no consultants, no cost. Takes under 10 minutes.
Start Your Free Assessment →The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel. A first aid needs assessment is the way you determine what "adequate and appropriate" means for your specific workplace.
Getting it wrong can mean:
Our online first aid needs assessment evaluates the key factors that the HSE identifies as important when assessing workplace first aid requirements:
Work nature & risk level
Employee numbers & shifts
Workplace hazards
Accident & illness history
Lone & remote workers
Public & visitor access
Multi-site layouts
Special considerations
Schools, nurseries and childcare settings receive additional guidance based on DfE requirements, Ofsted expectations and the EYFS Statutory Framework (September 2025), including Paediatric First Aid (PFA) statutory obligations, Individual Healthcare Plans and off-site visit requirements.
Our free first aid needs assessment covers all workplace types. The assessment automatically classifies your risk level and adjusts recommendations based on your sector:
Don't see your sector? Select "Other" and the assessment will guide you through the hazard questions to determine your appropriate risk level.
Tell us about your workplace, employees and hazards. It takes around 5-10 minutes.
Receive instant guidance on training levels, number of first aiders and equipment.
Enter your email to receive your PDF report — ready to save, print and share with your health and safety team.
Why we ask for your email address
Health and safety guidance changes, and occasionally we correct something in our own advice. If a change affects a finding in your report, we will update your report and email you to tell you exactly what changed and why. If you complete the assessment without leaving an email address we have no way to reach you, and you would keep a report we already know to be out of date. We will not pass your address to anyone else, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Training level
EFAW (1-day) or FAW (3-day), plus Paediatric First Aid if applicable
First aider numbers
Minimum required based on workforce size and risk level
Absence cover
Recommended total including holidays, sickness and training
Equipment
First aid kits, AEDs and specialist supplies
Yes. Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, every employer must provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and personnel. The HSE recommends carrying out a first aid needs assessment to determine what provision is required for your specific workplace.
The number of first aiders depends on your workplace risk level and number of employees. As a guide, lower-risk workplaces need at least 1 first aider per 100 employees, while higher-risk workplaces need 1 per 50. The HSE also recommends additional cover for absences, shift work and multi-floor buildings. Our assessment provides guidance on the number for your workplace.
Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is a 1-day (6-hour) course covering basic life-saving skills. First Aid at Work (FAW) is a 3-day (18-hour) course that includes everything in EFAW plus additional topics such as managing illness, injuries and medical emergencies. The assessment will indicate the appropriate level for your workplace.
The HSE recommends reviewing your first aid needs assessment at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to your workforce, workplace layout, work activities, or if accidents or incidents highlight a need for change.
Schools must comply with both HSE workplace first aid requirements and DfE/Ofsted guidance. Nurseries and EYFS settings have additional statutory requirements — at least one person with a full Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present. This is checked during Ofsted inspections. Our free assessment includes a dedicated Education & Schools section covering all DfE, EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
Yes, completely free with no hidden costs. You can complete the full assessment without registering and see your risk level, your suggested number of first aiders and how many actions you have. Enter your email address to read the full action plan and receive your free PDF report. We ask for it so we can send the report — and so we can tell you if the guidance behind one of your findings changes, which we do when it does. You can also create a free account to save your assessment and receive automatic review reminders.
Our free assessment covers all workplace types including offices, schools, nurseries, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, warehousing, retail, hospitality, agriculture, transport, call centres, IT, professional services and more. The assessment automatically adjusts its risk classification and recommendations based on your industry sector and specific workplace hazards.
Aligned with DfE Health & Safety on Educational Visits and KCSIE. Covers day trips, residentials and trips abroad. Generates a trip-specific risk assessment PDF plus a printable emergency contact card for every staff member. Clone it next term so you don't start from scratch.
Completely free — answer a few questions, get instant results on screen. No consultants, no sign-up, no cost.
Start Your Free Assessment →Once you know what training your workplace needs, we can help. First Aid For All delivers approved first aid courses across the UK, both on your premises and at our public course venues.
Have questions? Contact us and we will be happy to help.
Do it yourself in under 10 minutes. Instant results on screen — no sign-up needed.
Start Free AssessmentDfE-aligned trip risk assessment + emergency contact card. Free with an account.
Open Trip RAThis free assessment is based on:
“Excellent course. Olly White a great course tutor. Very informative and enjoyable 3 day course. 10/10. Thankyou.”
david herstell“Chris was such a great trainer for our one-day course. Informative, attentive and friendly! Learned so much and helped i…”
Adam Dixon“I highly recommend this course! The training was clear, engaging, and very well structured. The instructor was professio…”
Ewelina“Did a first aid training course here which was brilliant! The trainer Sarah was really outstanding, such a calming demea…”
MET artist“I highly recommend the one-day First Aid at Work course that I attended at Caroline House, as part of a group from our s…”
Krysia Grzywinska“It was a wonderful course for learning first aid knowledge. The teacher's lively and engaging lessons made us learn in a…”
Sofia Lu“I attended the threeβday First Aid at Work course with Sarah and had a brilliant experience. Sarah was friendly and appr…”
Gwendolen DβAdamo“Absolutely fantastic 3 days with Sarah! From coming in the first day was made to feel welcome!! Nothing was to small or …”
Natalie Costello“The course was held at my workplace on a Saturday, it was interesting,informative and very educational - I now feel conf…”
dee godleman“Highly recommended First Aid at Work Course. Well structured, informative and provides a good skill set to not only use…”
Connor Tickle“I had a great experience with the first aid training. Sarah was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the course.…”
M Hassan