Can I bring my baby to the 2-hour class?

If your baby is pre-crawling they are more than welcome to come with you to the class.

I cannot arrange childcare for the class; do Mini First Aid offer childcare?

Unfortunately Mini First Aid cannot provide childcare. We can come and run a class at home for you, when little ones are safely in bed – see private classes for more information.

Do I have to do the CPR on the manikin?

Our 2 hour classes are not a qualification course therefore you do not need to be assessed carrying out CPR. Whilst we encourage everyone to take part and learn the technique, we do not pressurise anyone who feels uncomfortable to do so.

I can’t attend, can I have a refund?

Mini First Aid do not offer a refund, however providing you give reasonable notice we will happily move your booking to another date – after all we are parents too and we understand things happen.

Do I have to pay in advance?

Mini First Aid ask for all class bookings to be paid for in advance to secure your place. Our bookings are very busy; until payment is made your place is not guaranteed.

Payments for open class bookings are made through our automated payment system, Stripe. Once you have added the relevant courses/classes to your basket you will then need to checkout and make payment by entering your card details. Private class bookings, schools or workplaces, should be paid via bank transfer to the trainer upon being sent an invoice and booking confirmation.

How do I know when classes are happening in my area?

Each region will update the website with latest dates available, and regularly send out information via social media. You can contact your local trainer to be placed on a waiting list for notification of new dates.

We have a 17 year old babysitter. Is this class suitable for them?

Mini First Aid is ideal for anyone looking after babies and young children.

When your child is unwell, it can be difficult to know when something needs urgent medical attention. Most childhood illnesses are nothing to worry about, but in rare cases an infection can develop into sepsis. September is Sepsis Awareness Month, so we’re proud to share this important guest blog from our partners at the UK Sepsis Trust, helping parents and carers understand the signs of sepsis in children, when to seek help and why trusting your instincts can make a difference.

Spotting sepsis early

It’s only natural to worry when your child is unwell. Fortunately, most childhood illnesses, such as coughs, colds, and tummy bugs, are a normal part of growing up and usually get better with rest. But sometimes, in rare cases, an infection can develop into a life-threatening condition called sepsis.

September is Sepsis Awareness Month, so today we’re sharing the key signs to look out for and what action to take if you suspect sepsis, as well as how we're working with Mini First Aid to protect families across the country.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s over-reaction to an infection, and it can become life-threatening within hours. Around 245,000 people are affected by sepsis in the UK each year and 48,000 die – five people every single hour.

It can affect anyone at any age, however there are some people who are more at risk, including babies and pregnant people.

But the good news is that sepsis is often treatable if caught quickly, which means awareness is critical. If people don't know about sepsis, they may not know when to seek urgent medical attention.

Signs and symptoms of sepsis in children

There is no single symptom of sepsis, and it can present differently for adults and children, but here are some common signs to look out for:

Signs to watch for in any child

Is breathing very fast or struggling to breathe
Has a ‘fit’ or convulsion
Looks mottled, bluish, or pale (on black or brown skin, changes may show on the palms of the hands or inside the forearms)
Has a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
Is very drowsy or difficult to wake
Feels unusually cold to touch

Additional signs for children under 5

Refusing to feed or drink
No wet nappies or urine for 12 hours
Repeated vomiting

If someone with an infection is getting worse instead of better – and something feels seriously wrong – trust your instincts and act quickly.

Call 111 and contact your GP if you're worried about an infection. Call 999 or visit A&E if a child has one of the sepsis symptoms and just ask:
“Could it be Sepsis?”

Remember, no one knows your child better than you. Don’t be afraid to speak up.

If you're unsure, you can use the UK Sepsis Trust’s free Sepsis Assessment Tool for guidance on what to do next.

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What does the UK Sepsis Trust do?

At UKST, we're working to end preventable deaths from sepsis and improve outcomes for survivors. We also know the impact of sepsis doesn’t end when someone leaves hospital or after losing a loved one, which is why we continue to support survivors and families as they navigate life after sepsis.

We do this by:

Raising awareness: Helping you know the signs and understand when to seek urgent medical help.
Supporting health professionals: Providing education and clinical tools to help health professionals recognise and treat sepsis promptly.
Supporting families: Offering free nurse-led support to people recovering from sepsis, as well as those coping with the loss of a loved one.
Driving change: Working to improve sepsis care across the UK by instigating political change.

Working together to save lives

Since 2021, UKST and Mini First Aid have been working together to raise awareness among thousands of families, including via our ‘Just Ask’ leaflets and Mini First Aid training resources.

These efforts mean more families have the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs of sepsis and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

“Our partnership means our trainers have access to the most up-to-date information and research, helping us ensure that the sepsis education we deliver in our classes is accurate, memorable and relevant”, says Kate Ball, Founder of Mini First Aid. “We know that sharing real stories and experiences can have a huge impact, helping parents and carers remember what they’ve learned when they need it most. “Ultimately, both Mini First Aid and The UK Sepsis Trust share the same goal: to educate as many people as possible about sepsis, give them the confidence to recognise the signs and know when to seek help, and ultimately help prevent avoidable deaths and save lives.”

Sarah Hamilton-Fairley, CEO at UKST, says: “We’re hugely grateful to Mini First Aid for their passion and commitment to helping us reach more families with vital sepsis awareness message. Their dedication to make first aid accessible and easily understood means that, by working together, we can give parents and carers the confidence to recognise the signs and know when to seek help."

By working together, we’re reaching more families with our life-saving message and giving them the confidence to speak up when something just doesn't feel right.

To find out more about what UKST do or how you can get involved this Sepsis Awareness Month, visit our website.

Know the signs. Trust your instincts. Speak up.

Sepsis can develop quickly, but knowing what to look out for can help you recognise when something isn’t right and act promptly. We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the UK Sepsis Trust, working together to give more families the knowledge and confidence to spot the signs and know when to seek help.

Want to feel more confident when it comes to keeping your little one safe? Book onto a Mini First Aid Baby & Child First Aid class, where we cover sepsis awareness alongside a range of practical, lifesaving skills for parents and carers.

And don’t forget to share this blog with another parent, grandparent or carer - you never know when this information might be needed.

Mini First Aid x