Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care (FREC®3) – 2 Day RPL
Course Overview
The FREC®3 qualification provides learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to respond safely, effectively and confidently to a wide range of pre-hospital emergency situations. This course builds a strong foundation in first response care, enabling learners to assess, treat and manage patients in both emergency and urgent care environments. It also forms the first step in the recognised FREC® qualification pathway for those pursuing careers in pre-hospital care.
This Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway enables eligible learners to evidence their existing knowledge and practical skills against the full FREC®3 qualification criteria, without attending the complete training programme. It provides formal recognition of competence in first response emergency care and confirms that learners meet the required standards to assess, treat and manage patients in emergency and urgent care environments.
Intended Audience
This course is ideal for individuals working or aspiring to work in roles requiring emergency response capabilities, including event medics, security staff, emergency services personnel, and those seeking progression toward clinical roles such as AHPs, nurses or paramedics.
This 2-Day RPL route is suitable for individuals who can provide evidence of relevant training and clinical experience in an emergency care setting. This may include:
- Student paramedics
- Community First Responders
- Emergency services personnel
- Event medical staff
- Healthcare professionals
Learners must be able to demonstrate competency across the FREC®3 syllabus and meet the evidence requirements set by the awarding organisation. A list of suitable qualifications acceptable for the 2 day RPL can be found under entry requirements.
Topics Covered
Learners will engage with a wide range of practical and theoretical content, including:
- Patient assessment and scene management
- Airway management and oxygen therapy
- Trauma care (catastrophic bleeding, fractures, burns and more)
- Management of medical emergencies
- Basic life support and automated external defibrillation
- Safe moving and handling
- Recognition and management of major illness and injury
- Optional extended clinical skills (subject to eligibility)
Entry Requirements
- Learners must be at least 17 years old on the first day of training.
- Although no formal English Language qualifications are required, learners will benefit from having Literacy skills at Level 2 or equivalent
- Learners must hold one of these recognised Pre Hospital Care (PHC) regulated qualifications:
- Highfield Level 3 Award in Emergency Care for First Responders (RQF) (603/6892/5)
- Highfield Level 3 Award in First Aid Response (RQF) (603/2747/9)
- SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in First Person on Scene Support (RQF) (603/3964/0)
- SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Casualty Care for Fire and Rescue Services (603/1435/7)
- ITC Level 3 Award in First Aid for Firefighters (603/2884/8)
- TQUK Level 3 Award for Initial Person on the Scene of an Incident (RQF) (603/5085/4)
- DAO Level 3 Award in Immediate Emergency Care Provider (603/3571/3)
- QNUK Level 3 Award for First Responders (RQF) (603/3961/5)
- QNUK Level 3 Award in First Person on Scene (International) (RQF) (603/6688/6)
- QNUK Level 3 Award in Rescue Trauma and Casualty Care (RTACC) (RQF) (603/6687/4)
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate for First Person on Scene (FPOS) (603/6353/8)
- Safecert Level 3 Award for First Person on Scene for an Emergency First Responder (610/0810/2)
- FutureQuals Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene: Amb. Ser. Community Responder (603/6252/2)
- FutureQuals Level 3 Award in First Responders on Scene: Emergency First Responders (603/6795/7)
- FutureQuals Level 3 Award in Immediate Emergency Care: Fire and Rescue Services (603/7366/0)
- MPQC Level 3 Award in Advanced First Aid for Remote and Mining Environments (603/2433/8)
- Alternatively, learners may provide evidence of attending a ‘999’ internal casualty care/first responder course such as:
- HMCG Coastguard Emergency Responder Casualty Care
- RNLI Casualty Care (Lifeboat Crew and Lifeguards)
- Mountain Rescue Team – Remote Rescue Medical Technician
- NHS Ambulance Service Community First Responder (CFR)
- Police Enhanced First Aid Skills
- Lowland Rescue Casualty Care
- Cave Rescue Casualty Care
- Mines Rescue Casualty Care
- UK Armed Forces – Joint Team Medic certificate
- EURIECA® Advanced First Aid (RCS Ed FPHC endorsed)
- Immediate Emergency Care – Advanced (RCS Ed FPHC endorsed)
- Student Paramedics who have completed Year 1 successfully are able to attend a FREC®3 2-day RPL course. Learners must evidence their achievement by supplying Centres with a written confirmation from an HCPC approved education provider.
- Important note: All Learners must have completed their course/qualification within 24 months of the FREC®3 course start date and are still required to complete all FREC®3 assessments.
Progression
Successful completion of FREC®3 enables progression to higher-level qualifications, including the Qualsafe Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC®4). It may also support career development in related professions such as Allied Health, Nursing, and Paramedicine.
Requalification Requirements
The FREC®3 qualification is valid for 3 years. To remain qualified, learners must undertake the 3 day FREC3 Requalification course before the certificate expiry date. Failure to requalify before expiry means the individual is no longer considered competent to act as a FREC®3 provider and must re-take the full 5 day FREC3 course.