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An introduction to Future Academies

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Life lessons are the company that we work with for the delivery of PHSE/RSE lessons at The Grange. Please have a loo around the site.

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Who does the guidance apply to? Curriculum focus A legal requirement Optional but recommended Relationships Sex and Health Education (RSHE) All schools providing secondary education years 7-11, including:– All through […]

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Skip to content ↓

Welcome toThe Grange Academy

Libertas per cultum

Join us for an impactful evening with @HertsPolice & Alison Cope, a passionate anti-violence advocate. Hear heartfelt stories, learn how we can elevate awareness to prevent violence in our communities. Get involved, make a difference! ️✨ Don't miss out! https://t.co/sQzBYl3xtZ

A Youth Violent Crime Awareness evening is being held at the @thegrangebushey . This event is next week and is open for all parents who wish to attend. With @HertsPolice and @ali_cope who will be leading the event raising awareness in order to prevent violence in our communities. https://t.co/ifXbexlMel

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Skip to content ↓ Libertas per cultum Join us for an impactful evening with @HertsPolice & Alison Cope, a passionate anti-violence advocate. Hear heartfelt stories, learn how we can elevate awareness to prevent violence in our communities. Get involved, make a difference! ️✨ Don't miss out!

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NHS support for young adults and students 

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NHS support for young adults and students 

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Help for teenagers, young adults and students

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Advice and support for students and young people with mental health problems.

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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Advice for parents

If your family in your home country support the practice of FGM, or if there is pressure from the wider community to arrange FGM then you should think very carefully about taking your daughter to visit.

You should speak to your family before travelling to explain that you do not want to arrange FGM for your daughter and that FGM is against the law in the UK, so you could be prosecuted if anything happens to your daughter. Remember that FGM is also illegal in many other countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

If you are still concerned in any way after speaking to your family then it may be better not to take your daughter abroad. If you are unsure then workers in services such as health and social work can advise you and support you in keeping your daughter safe.

If you are travelling abroad with your daughter take a copy of the Scottish Government leaflet: FGM - A statement opposing Female Genital Mutilation (download below)

This might be of help if your family or community put pressure on you to arrange FGM for your daughter. Show the leaflet to your family and keep it with you at all times.

If you are abroad and require help or advice call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on +44 (0)20 7008 1500 or contact the British High Commission or Embassy in the country you are visiting.

You could also contact local organisations working on FGM in the country you are visiting and they may be able to help protect your child from FGM (download below).

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If your family in your home country support the practice of FGM, or if there is pressure from the wider community to arrange FGM then you should think very carefully about taking your daughter to...

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Female genital mutilation is illegal. We've got advice to help you keep children and young people safe.

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We can help you get the support you need to grow and develop

We offer practical and emotional support so that you can enter adulthood with the confidence you need to achieve your full potential. Discover ways we support young people below or use the search bar to find services in your local area.

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We support young people who are young carers, care leavers, those looking to gain workplace skills, LGBT+ those at risk of homelessness.

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Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health

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Show your teen love and care, while looking after yourself

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Place2Be is a children and young people's mental health charity with almost 30 years' experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.

We provide mental health support in schools through one-to-one and group counselling using tried and tested methods backed by research. In addition, we also offer expert training and professional qualifications.

Why it's important

1 in 5

children and young people have a probable mental health condition, and many continue to have these problems into adulthood.

50%

of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14.

1 in 10
boys aged 5-19 with a mental health condition are suspended in some form from school.

Find out more about our work

How we help

Mental health support in schools

Our in-school mental health service supports the wellbeing of pupils, families and staff.
Find out more

Our mental health services in schools

We provide mental health services in schools that contribute to a whole-school approach to mental health.
Find out more

Counselling training and placements

Gain experience and skills with our child counselling training and placements.
Find out more

Place2Be is part of our school family. It is more than an office, more than a therapy room and more than a collection of counsellors.

Glyn Ellis - Headteacher, Haslingden Primary School

My daughter had become a different person - one we didn't recognise - but since counselling we see signs of our old loving daughter coming back.

Parent

If you have problems or worries you get a chance to talk to a person you trust. When I grow up I want to help children like Place2Be helps children.

Eight-year-old girl

Your support makes it possible

Thousands of vulnerable children and families depend on our work every single day. We simply cannot reach them without your help. There are so many ways to lend your support.

Place2Be's counselling service in primary schools has the potential to return £8 to society by improving long-term outcomes for each child.

Make a donation

How you can help

Fundraise for us

Raise money to transform children and young people's mental health. Browse ideas, tips and advice.

Get fundraising inspiration

Take part in an event

Run, cycle, walk. Trek to great heights or tackle some muddy obstacles. Take a look at our fundraising events.

Take on an event

Partner with us

See how your organisation can help us to support more children, families and school staff across the UK.

Find out more

Our impact

In the last school year

6,901

pupils were supported through one-to-one counselling.

33,327

pupils booked their own appointments o speak to our mental health professional.

After one-to-one counselling with Place2Be

76%

of children with severe difficulties show an improvement in mental health, according to parents.

64%

of pupils whose difficulties impacted their learning in class improved, according to teachers.

75%

of children and young people found it easier to make and keep friends, according to parents and carers.

Place2Be: mental health support in schools

Hear from children and teachers about the impact of Place2Be.

News & blogs

Eating Disorders in Children and Young People: a major public health concern

Clara Faria and Professor Tamsin Ford reflect on the impact of eating disorders on children and young people's mental health.

Read more

New report from NHS England shows increase in children experiencing mental health difficulties

Published today, the report reveals that 1 in 5 children and young people now have a probable mental health condition.

Read more

The BAFTA Roadshow with Place2Be arrives in North-West London

BAFTA and Place2Be team up to bring the BAFTA Roadshow to North-West London.

Read more

Sign up to our newsletter

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Improving children's and young people's mental health - Place2Be

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Place2Be provides mental health counselling support and training to schools to improve the emotional wellbeing of children, young people, families, teachers and staff.

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"Since starting alumina it's become the highlight of my week. It's such a safe, non judgemental place which has really helped me in my recovery."

Max

"If you're thinking about joining I'd say go for it, the team are lovely and everyone who does it is so welcoming and supportive"

Abi

Alumina is a free, online 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harm. Each course has up to 14 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK. The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workers. You don't need an adult to refer you or sign you up, and no-one will see or hear you during the sessions - you'll just join in via the chatbox. We want to help you to find your next steps towards recovery, wherever you are on your journey.

IS ALUMINA RIGHT FOR ME?

Are you...

10-17 years old?

Living in the UK?

Someone who self-harms or worries they might?

Looking for support but not wanting to do it face to face?

Wanting to move towards a life free from self-harm?

If so...

Alumina could be a helpful step forward. If you sign up we'll begin a conversation over email to work out if it might be a good fit - and you can ask us any questions you have. The only rule we have in Alumina is that we don't talk about suicide in the groups. If that's something you are struggling with thinking about we recommend getting in touch with our friends at Papyrus who are better equipped to support you.

"I thought it would be all serious and uncomfortable because of the self-harm talk but actually, the staff have made me laugh, we've been given a space that feels relevant to our ages and most importantly we can turn up in any mood and they'll be there for us." Runa

What's a session like?

"Clicking on the link for the first time was nerve wracking and intense with lots of thoughts going through my head. But within only a few minutes of the session I had a smile on my face and felt comfortable with the staff and the group."

Sasha

"Alumina was quite different to what I expected, I thought it would just be an intense 6 weeks and it would be over like other services. But it was nothing like that - instead I felt and still feel very supported by the staff. The group and staff are like a big family who's always there for me."

Samara

"Clicking that link for the very first time was terrifying. But I knew it could be life-changing. The first session I felt welcome, I no longer felt like an outsider. It's fun, believe me!! Most days I find myself looking forward to the next session because Alumina gives me a sign of hope."

Dan

Questions

We aren't a crisis service so if you're in need of immediate support please contact one of the following:

The Mix: Offering essential support for anyone aged 12-25. For their crisis messenger support service text THEMIX to 85258.
Childline: Support for anyone up to age 18. Call, chat online or email their crisis service.
Samaritans: Call 116123 anytime if you need to talk to someone.

We've changed the shape of our support for young people. This website introduces Alumina, our online support groups for young people struggling with self-harm. We've also recently launched beheadstrong.uk offering young people all kinds of information, stories and videos about looking after your mental and emotional wellbeing. You can find links to some of selfharm.co.uk's most popular articles below.

Yes we have! We have worked with 14-19 year olds for many years but we have always heard from people who are younger (or those who care about them) asking if we do anything for younger people. Then from September 2022 we reduced our age range to 11, and found how important it was to support this age range and that our Early Intervention project was great for this age range. Therefore, from October 2023 we will be aiming our work at young people in secondary school or college (or equivalent) and those transitioning to secondary school and our age range has reduced to 10-17 years old. If you're under 13 we will need to get permission from someone with parental responsibility for you, and we will email them to explain how Alumina works and make sure they are happy with you joining a group.

We aim to group similar aged young people into groups together, so 10-13-year-olds will be offered groups together and 13-17 year olds will be in other groups together. We are happy to work with anyone until the end of their full-time education, therefore we will work with 17- and 18-year-olds so long as they are three months or more away from finishing their education at the end of August.

Meet the team

Live Webinars

We have recently started to do live webinars on YouTube on issues related to self-harm and emotional wellbeing

Supporting Young People Who Self-harm

If you're a parent, professional or friend supporting a young person who's self-harming, we recommend taking an hour to watch this webinar with our Alumina Managers. They explore why people self-harm, why young people especially self-harm, why it becomes addictive, how to break the addiction cycle, and what young people wish the adults around them understood about self-harm.

"Alumina is a well thought through support service for young people; it is professional, caring and accessible to all. Signposting a young person to Alumina will help them begin their recovery journey."

DR. KATE MIDDLETON

Our Alumina advisory panel

More information about self-harm

We've moved some of our most popular articles about self-harm over to beheadstrong.uk, and you can use these links to find them:

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Free online Self-harm support for 10-17 year olds

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"Since starting alumina it's become the highlight of my week. It's such a safe, non judgemental place which has really helped me in my recovery." Max "If you're thinking about joining I'd say go for it, the team are lovely and everyone who does it is so welcoming and supportive" Abi Alumina is a free, online 7 week course for young people struggling with self-harm.

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The Lucy Faithfull Foundation | Preventing Child Sex Abuse

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We are the only UK-wide charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. Find out more.

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Struggling with an eating disorder? Caring for someone who is? Beat is here to support you.

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On Thursday 30 November from 2:30am - 7:30am, you won't be able to contact Childline whilst we do some important maintenance to our systems. This means that 1-2-1 chats, calling and messages to Childline will be unavailable. You'll still be able to use the Childline website for advice and information.

If you're in danger or it's an emergency, you should always call 999

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Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

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Heads Together | Join the conversation | Mental Health

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Heads Together work to ensure that people feel comfortable with their own and their friends and family everyday mental health and well being.

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Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today. | FRANK

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We help children, young people, parents, and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.

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We are the UKs leading charity for autistic people and their families. Since 1962, we have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.

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Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

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Includes stress, anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

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"I've never found such a supportive and dedicated forum. Someone will post in the crisis room and that same desperate person replies and supports another crisis post despite their own feelings"

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Get help now.

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When we asked children and young people, who use our services, who they felt may help, they suggested the contacts below.
Young Minds
If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the Young Minds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support, for more information click here.

Useful and young person friendly information available at www.youngminds.org.uk
Samaritans For more information visit the Samaritans webpage here.
Email them at jo@samaritans.org or Call them on 116 123 for free.

You can talk to Samaritans for as long as you need to.

You don't have to tell us your name or any personal details if you don't want to.

When you contact us we can't see your telephone number and your email address is removed before it reaches a volunteer.
Youth Connexions
For a variety of practical information and advice and support visit www.ychertfordshire.org
ChildLine For more information visit the Childline website here.
Contact them online or call them on 0800 1111 for free.

We're a safe place for you to talk.

Calls are not recorded and our number won't show up on any phone bills.
Healthy Young Minds in Herts
Visit healthyyoungmindsinherts.org.uk for information on emotional health and wellbeing support.
Hub of Hope
Visit www.hubofhope.co.uk and put in your postcode or postcodes nearby to find local support.
Mind in Mid Herts
Local support and information available at www.mindinmidherts.org.uk
Headspace
A simple meditation app, with a free trial, to help you feel calmer. Available to download on the App store.
Headmeds
Young person friendly information on medication available at www.headmeds.org.uk
Get Self Help
Visit www.getselfhelp.co.uk to download free worksheets which may help you.

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When we asked children and young people, who use our services, who they felt may help, they suggested the contacts below. Young Minds If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the Young Minds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support, for more information click here.

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Information plays an important role in helping people understand and come to terms with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

We're here to educate, offer hope and support people through the difficult times, right through to recovery and everything in between, we are OCD-UK.

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OCD-UK | A national OCD charity, run by, and for people with lived experience of OCD

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Information plays an important role in helping people understand and come to terms with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We're here to educate, offer hope and support people through the difficult times, right through to recovery and everything in between, we are OCD-UK.

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This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site you agree to these cookies being set. See our cookies policy for more information or to change your cookie preferences at any time.

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We give hope and help to thousands of children and families each year and work in communities throughout England and Wales to help keep children safe. Our vision is for all children to grow up in supportive communities safe from bullying and harm.​ Our mission is to provide practical support, training, and advice to challenge bullying and protect young lives.

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Care for the Family is a national charity that aims to promote strong family life and to help those who face family difficulties.

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Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus) | Family Lives

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Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, helpline 0808 800 2222, email service at askus@familylives.org.uk, live chat and local services.

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We offer confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. We work with callers to develop healthy, positive coping strategies, an inner feeling of strength and increased self esteem to encourage healing, recovery and moving forward with life.

We also keep details of counsellors, agencies and support groups throughout the UK.

Patron: Glen Murphy MBE
Chairman: Peter Barrell BEM

Last Updated: 19th September 2023

Much of SupportLine's work involves supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual, emotional and physical abuse and since the media focus on the Jimmy Savile and other VIP cases of abuse, and the Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry, an increasing number of survivors are turning to SupportLine for help and support.

SupportLine is urgently in need of funds to enable our vital services to continue, please support us so we can continue to support others. Thank you.

You can call our Helpline number on: 01708 765200
or email us:info@supportline.org.uk

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SupportLine - Confidential Emotional Support for Children, Young Adults and Adults

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Supportline offers confidential emotional telephone support in the UK for men, women, children and young adults by calling 01708 765200

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Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of someone important.

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Abuse costs us all. But it shouldn't cost this much.Take action today Abuse costs us all. But it shouldn't cost this much.Take action today We're working together against domestic abuse until wo...

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How to not need a holiday after the holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time for single parents, Natalie is a volunteer in our Wellbeing Digital Group and recently held an online workshop where she shared her 'go to' tools for managing the...

Read more

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We are Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families. We provide expert advice and practical support for single mums and dads in England and Wales.

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Tourettes Action is a support and research charity working to improve the lives of people living with Tourette Syndrome. Our services include online live-chat and email support, a befriender network, information, webinars, events and resources.

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National charity helping people with Anxiety - Anxiety UK

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Become a Member of Anxiety UK. We pride ourselves on being user led, with many on our staff and volunteer team having personal experience of anxiety.

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The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity - an integrated health and education service.

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The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover. Help us be here for children. Please donate now.

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BRAVE Online | Online help for worried kids

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Changing Faces | Visible Difference & Disfigurement Charity

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We are here to help everyone in the UK who has a visible difference, a scar, mark or condition on their face or body that makes them look different.

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous

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Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People

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Support for Parents from Action For Children

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Free and confidential live chat with a qualified parenting coach in the UK. We're here 12:30-19:30 Monday, 10:30-16:30 Tuesday, 09:30-16:30 Wednesday, 12:30-19:30 Thursday and 09:30-16:00 Friday.

We can talk about anything that supports family life, caring for children or managing your own wellbeing. Some parents get in touch to chat about their day or talk about things they can't tell anyone else.

Remember, we're hard to shock. Between us, we've seen and heard every kind of parenting question, concern or worry - nothing fazes us.

Need to talk to someone right away?

Parents and carers

The Give us a Shout text service is available 24/7 and is free on all major mobile networks. Text Shout to 85258.

If you're worried about a child's safety, call NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. If you're worried about a child's health, call 111. In an emergency, call 999.

Children

If you're under 18, call Childline on 0800 1111. You can also text Shout to 85258. Both services are free.

If you need urgent help from the police or a hospital, dial 999 from any phone.

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Free and confidential live chat with a qualified parenting coach in the UK. We're here 12:30-19:30 Monday, 10:30-16:30 Tuesday, 09:30-16:30 Wednesday, 12:30-19:30 Thursday and 09:30-16:00 Friday. We can talk about anything that supports family life, caring for children or managing your own wellbeing.

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Looking for advice on how to sleep better? Tweak your routine and understand the science behind your sleep patterns.

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24/7

You can text us any time, day or night.

Confidential

Your messages with us are confidential and anonymous.

Free

It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK.

Get involved

Donations doubled in the Big Give Christmas Challenge

Simply support Shout's Big Give campaign by midday on 5 December, and your donation will be doubled!

Can you help us hit our match funding target of £50,000 and support a further 5,000 people this winter?

Find out more

Get help

Ways to cope with upsetting events in the news

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad about what's going on in the news, know that you're definitely not alone. Here are some actions we can take to help us cope better through times like this.

Find out more

I think Shout saved my life tonight... no one has ever made me feel so safe, listened to and understood

Shout texter

GET HELP

Online resources and support

However you're feeling right now, you don't have to face it alone. We're here to support you with your mental health.

Take a look at our resources, information and support, find further help or reach out to one of our volunteers.

Resources for you

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Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support

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Shout 85258 is the UK's first 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis. Get free, confidential mental health support anytime, anywhere. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.

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We use cookies on this site

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Young Carers service at Carers in Hertfordshire

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Find out how Carers in Hertfordshire can support unpaid carers in the county who are 18 or under.

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Find children's social services in Hertfordshire including child protection, fostering and adoption, young care leavers and the Safeguarding Children Board.

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Are you being bullied?

If you are being bullied, or you are not ready to make a report to CEOP, you can talk to Childline anonymously online or on the phone - No worry is too big or too small.

Visit Childline

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Are you being bullied? If you are being bullied, or you are not ready to make a report to CEOP, you can talk to Childline anonymously online or on the phone - No worry is too big or too small. Visit Childline

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Give information about crime 100% anonymously | Fearless | Crimestoppers

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Fearless has launched a new campaign to keep teenagers across Scotland safe this autumn. Focusing on Halloween and Bonfire Night, the charity's pro-social behaviour messaging provides teens with information on how to stay safe and look out for their local community.

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Joes buddy line- mental health services for young people 

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Joes buddy line- mental health services for young people 

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A large board designed as an illuminated Lightbox that can be placed on an internal wall to help open-up mental health and wellbeing conversations, and provide some information about these important issues. The Buddy Board is now copyrighted.

A Presentation and Discussion about mental health by Celia Lyons, the mother of Joe Lyons, as created and produced by a Qualified Mental Health Practitioner.

Workshops can be offered on specific mental health and wellbeing issues for all within an Education Institution Family, including Teachers, Students, Governors and Parents/Guardians. Look at our initiatives in detail in the link above to find out more about the workshops we offer.

See more initiatives here >

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A large board designed as an illuminated Lightbox that can be placed on an internal wall to help open-up mental health and wellbeing conversations, and provide some information about these important issues. The Buddy Board is now copyrighted.

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Our Grange Academy Cyber Safety Pledge- Written by our students for our students!

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A guide for parents about what we study for PSHE and RSHE at The Grange.

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What are the 9 protected characteristics that we all need to be aware of? 

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What are the 9 protected characteristics that we all need to be aware of? 

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The Grange Academy Curriculum Maps for PSHE and RSHE 2024

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The Grange Academy Curriculum Maps for PSHE and RSHE 2024

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See the topics and titles of the sessions that we have each week on PSHE and RSE at The Grange

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The key topic areas we study in Year 12

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The Key topic lists we study in Year 13

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The Grange Academy Curriculum Maps for PSHE and RSHE 2025-6

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The Grange Academy Curriculum Maps for PSHE and RSHE 2025-6

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see the topics and titles of the sessions that we have each week on PSHE and RSE at The Grange

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Letter sent to Parents regarding PSHE and RSE 2024

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Letter sent to Parents regarding PSHE and RSE 2024

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Letter sent to parents April 2024 PSHE update

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Letter sent to parents April 2024 PSHE update

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Our latest consultation letter

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Letter sent to parents October 2024 PSHE and RSE update.

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Letter sent to parents October 2024 PSHE and RSE update.

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Can you name the 4 fundamental British Values? 

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Can you name the 4 fundamental British Values? 

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Relationships and Sex Education Gov guidelines

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Relationships and Sex Education Gov guidelines

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Key documents about Relationships and Sex Education

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Statutory guidance on relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) issued under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 and section 403 of the Education Act 1996.

Schools must have regard to the guidance and, where they depart from those parts of the guidance which state that they should, or should not, do something, they will need to have good reasons for doing so.

This statutory guidance applies to all schools, and is for:

governing bodies of maintained schools (including schools with a sixth-form) and non-maintained special schools

trustees or directors of academies and free schools

proprietors of independent schools (including academies and free schools)

management committees of pupil referral units (PRUs)

teachers, other school staff and school nurses

headteachers, principals and senior leadership teams

diocese and other faith representatives

relevant local authority staff for reference

To help school leaders follow this statutory guidance, we have published:

Thank you for your feedback

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Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education

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Statutory guidance on relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education.

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Children's Commissioner for England and RSHE 

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Children's Commissioner for England and RSHE 

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Children told me very clearly in The Big Ask, the largest-ever survey of children in England that I conducted in my first year as Children's Commissioner, how important relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) and broader personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is to them. When asked, children are very clear about how highly they value being taught life skills, about finances, and about healthy relationships, in a way that is sensitive and age appropriate. Put simply, children want their education to prepare them for life.

I know first-hand from my experience as a teacher, headteacher, and trust leader how central the teaching of RSHE and wider life skills is for preparing children to be well-rounded and confident adults. These are pillars in children's lives that deeply affect how they understand the world and interact with each other. It is vital that RSHE is taught well.

Furthermore, it is important that teaching children about healthy and unhealthy relationships, staying safe, and dealing with difficult issues is seen through a safeguarding lens. Keeping children safe, happy and well is everyone's business. Nothing is more important than children's welfare. In light of the issues first raised by Everyone's Invited in 2020 and the subsequent review into sexual harassment in schools by Ofsted, nobody should be complacent about the fact that teaching RSHE well is vital to a healthy school community that is safe for all children.[i]

The duty to protect children from harmful or inappropriate content both online and offline is of paramount importance - but it is just as important that they are given the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the world around them and make sensible, informed judgements. That's why we must put their views and voices at the heart of how RSHE is taught, while also making sure that parents and carers are given reassurances about what they are learning.

Background on RSHE

Encouraging positive and healthy personal development is one of the central roles of children's education in England.

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) is an umbrella term for a number of subjects and topics, some of which are statutory parts of the curriculum and others are not. While PSHE as a whole is not statutory, it is explicitly part of Ofsted's inspection framework under the category of personal development.[ii] Schools have some flexibility to decide how they meet the various responsibilities within PSHE education, according to local priorities and need. There is an overlap between PSHE education and a school's responsibility for pastoral support and to support children's personal development. Children may receive parts of their PSHE education in a timetabled class, which may include statutory and non-statutory elements, or outside of the classroom, such as in form classes or tutor groups, through assemblies, or in workshops with external facilitators.

In September 2020, on the basis of legislation in the Children and Social Work Act, the teaching of Relationships Education (RE) was made compulsory for all children in primary education and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for all children in secondary schools. Health Education (HE) was made compulsory for all schools except independent schools, for which Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) remains compulsory. The new requirements for schools to teach the relevant elements of the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum were fully implemented in September 2021. This updated curriculum is very welcome.

The duty on schools to teach RSHE is laid out by the Department for Education in statutory guidance, along with guidance information on planning a curriculum and teaching materials. [iii][iv][v] Other elements of PSHE, such as financial education, are not statutory parts of the curriculum but some schools may choose to teach them. The House of Commons Library has compiled a summary of the area.[vi]

As part of Relationships Education, primary school children should learn about families and the people who care for them, caring friendships, respectful relationships, including those online, and being safe. In RSE, secondary school students should learn about families, respectful relationships including friendships, safety and privacy online and in the media, being safe, and intimate and sexual relationships including sexual health. HE for primary and secondary students covers mental wellbeing, internet safety and harms, physical health and fitness, healthy eating, health and prevention, basic first aid, the changing adolescent body, as well as drugs, alcohol and tobacco. All teaching should be age-appropriate.

Findings from the CCo's nationally representative survey

Methodology

The CCo commissioned a nationally representative survey of 3,022 children aged 9-17 in full-time education in England. The survey was carried out between March 19 th-22 nd 2022. All findings are weighted to ensure that data is representative of all England children aged 9-17.

The survey included questions about whether the student is currently receiving PSHE lessons, whether they've previously received PSHE lessons, the topics they learned about in their PSHE lessons, how helpful or unhelpful they found the lessons on each of the topics, the extent to which they agree or disagree with various statements on PSHE, and overall how good or poor their PSHE lessons were.

The topics pupils have learned about in RSHE

At primary school, the current RSHE curriculum dictates that pupils should learn about; families and people who care for the pupil - this includes lessons on the characteristics of family life and discussions around how families in school and the wider world might look different but that stable, caring relationships are at their heart. These lessons should also include how to recognise if family relationships are making them feel unhappy or unsafe, and how to seek help or advice from others if needed; caring friendships - which include how important friendships are in making us feel happy and secure and how people choose and make friends; respectful relationships, including the importance of respecting others, even when they are very different from them, make different choices, or have different preferences or beliefs; and online relationships, which is intended to teach children that the same principles apply to online relationships as face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others online when we are anonymous; and being safe - this includes how to report concerns or abuse and the vocabulary and confidence needed to do so.

There is no list of expectations for sex education in primary schools as it is not compulsory. If schools choose to teach it, the DfE recommends that it should make sure boys and girls are prepared for adolescence and in science explain how a baby is conceived and born in terms of life cycles.

At secondary school, pupils should learn about families and specifically what marriage and civil partnerships are, including their legal status; respectful relationships, including the characteristics of positive and healthy friendships , trust, privacy, consent and how to manage conflict and reconciliation in different types of relationships; online and media - which includes children's rights, responsibilities, and opportunities online, including that the same expectations of behaviour apply in all contexts and the impact of viewing harmful content; and sexual health and the positive characteristics of intimate and sexual relationships, including trust, shared interests and consent.

Almost all pupils (91%) said they have had PSHE lessons at some point. When asked about which health and staying safe PSHE topics they have learned about, students were mostly likely to report having learned about how to stay safe online (83%) and least likely to have learned about how to safe out and about (52%). Students were much less likely to report learning about finance and career topics. 32% of students had not learned about any of the finance and career topics and only 8% had learned about financial products.

Learning about drugs and alcohol, relationships, puberty and growing up as well as any finance or career topic was less common among the younger age group (Figure 3). Learning about healthy eating and how to stay safe online were the only topics more common among the youngest age group.
Percentage of students who have learned about each PSHE topic, by age group

The quality of RSHE lessons

Among the pupils who have taken PSHE lessons, three-quarters (76%) think PSHE lessons are very good or fairly good. Across all topics, the majority of pupils reported the lessons being helpful. The most helpful topics were economic wellbeing (88% said this was helpful) and budgeting (87% said this was helpful) and the least helpful topics were relationships (70% said this was helpful) and emotional wellbeing and resilience (77% said this was helpful).

Of the survey respondents who are currently taking PSHE, 63% felt they learned about things they didn't already know, 68% reported they learn about things that mattered, 60% said they had been able to use what they learned in PSHE in everyday life and 81% said PSHE involved a lot of discussions. 44% of children talked about issues in PSHE that don't get talked about at home.

There were some differences in perceptions of PSHE lessons by parental background, gender and age. Students whose parents were not working were both less likely to find PSHE lessons on further education helpful (76%) than those with parents working (89%).

Girls who previously took PSHE were more likely to say there were things they did not learn about that they wished they learned about (58%) compared to boys (48%).

Older children were more likely to be critical of the quality of their PSHE lessons and less likely to find them helpful. Older pupils are much more likely to say their PSHE lessons are poor (29% for those aged 16 or 17) than younger pupils (9% for those aged 9-11 and 19% for those aged 12-15). While 70% of pupils said relationship lessons were helpful, there were differences by age group, with 75% of 9- to 11-year-olds reporting that relationships classes are helpful compared to 70% of 12- to 15-year-olds and 65% of 16- to 17-year-olds.

The Children's Commissioner's recommendations on the teaching of RSHE - a safeguarding first approach

The underpinning legislation that mandated the teaching of RSHE to all children was based on safeguarding. The teaching of RSHE should, therefore, have safeguarding at its core, in terms of both content and teaching.
Recommendation 1: The primacy of safeguarding in teaching RSHE.
Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) should curate the RSHE curriculum in each school, and teachers should create it. All teachers should receive better and more thorough training on how to deliver the RSHE curriculum in a way that provides children with the knowledge they have told us they want in an age-appropriate way, and should parents have a concern about the content or delivery of the curriculum, the DSL should be the first port of call.
Recommendation 2: Schools working with parents proactively.
Schools should communicate proactively with parents and carers about the content of the RSHE curriculum before teaching starts each term, including by inviting parents into school to discuss the curriculum where appropriate and responding to concerns sensitively and appropriately. The guiding principle should be transparency, and, to this end, schools should publish their RSHE teaching materials online, alongside their RSHE policy, and have a clear process for raising any concerns or questions.
Recommendation 3: Better support for DSLs.
A qualification for DSLs should be created that is akin to the National Award qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SenCOs). In some schools, this will be the same person, so thought should be given on how to ensure they have the capacity to lead on this important area, including across different agencies and services.
Recommendation 4: Better training and support for teachers.
Teachers should be able to specialise in RSHE as they do in other subjects given the nature and breadth of the topics covered. Poor quality teaching of these subjects is often worse than no teaching at all. Training for teachers on RSHE needs to be regular, high-quality and connected to local services. A high quality National Professional Qualification (NPQ) in RSHE is vital to effectively prepare teachers to deliver and discuss the more challenging or sensitive topics included in the proposed curriculum in an age-appropriate and safe manner.
Recommendation 5: The role of Oak National Academy.
Oak National Academy should be a platform that teachers and professionals can go to access high-quality, kitemarked materials and resources to support the teaching of RSHE. These materials will be freely available and without the copyright limitations that some resources have. Schools must be confident that these materials are age-appropriate, in line with parents' and children's preferences, and reflect the statutory guidance.

Recommendation 6: Teaching emerging issues.

The Department for Education should draw up a list of approved resources and guidance for schools, alongside those available on Oak National Academy. This should cover content on both the core elements of the statutory guidance, as well as any emerging or evolving issues, such as online safety. This list will aid heads and teachers to communicate as effectively and transparently as possible with parents and carers about the curriculum ahead of its teaching in school.
Recommendation 7: Making sure children's needs are being met.
Schools should regularly consult children about issues that they need support with and see respond to them, either within the teaching of RSHE, or in another, more appropriate forum. Children have been clear that they want to learn about the multiple themes and subjects affecting their lives in modern Britain, so it's vital that the content they are taught reflects their views.
Recommendation 8: Improving the PSHE offer to children.
Children told us how much they valued the teaching of wider life skills, including financial education. They were keen to make sure all children were taught about these issues, either through PSHE or the wider school offer. Whilst PSHE is not mandatory, the Department for Education should update the statutory RSHE guidance to include life skills, including financial education.

[i] Ofsted, Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, Link. Accessed on 13/02/23.

Ofsted, School inspection handbook, Link. Accessed on 13/02/23.

[iii] Department for Education, Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education: Statutory guidance on relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education, Link. Accessed on 13/02/23.

Department for Education, Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum: Information to help school leaders plan, develop and implement the new statutory curriculum, Link. Accessed on 13/02/23.

[v] Department for Education, Teaching about relationships, sex and health: Support and training materials for schools to help train teachers on relationships, sex and health education, Link. Accessed on 13/02/23.

House of Commons Library, Relationships and sex education in schools (England), Link. Accessed on 13/02/23.

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Children and RSHE | Children's Commissioner for England

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Children told me very clearly in The Big Ask, the largest-ever survey of children in England that I conducted in my first year as Children's Commissioner,

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This document is also available as a PDF here

Social networking is hugely popular. Many young people are sophisticated in the way they use social media apps and websites, tailoring their communication for different audiences, and accessing them from a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and games consoles.

But social media, like all forms of public communication, comes with some risks. Not all of these risks turn into actual problems; and if children never face any risks, they never learn how to deal with them. By helping your child understand what the risks are, you can play a big part in preventing them from turning into problems.

1. Understand the risks children may need to deal with:

What they might see or do:

Seeing or sharing of violent, sexual and pornographic content

Inaccurate or false information and extreme views

Promotion of harmful behaviours including self-harm, anorexia and suicide

Over-sharing of personal information

Actively or unintentionally getting involved in bullying or hurtful behaviour

Who they might meet:

How this could affect them:

2. Practical tips to help minimise the risks your child might face

It's good practice for apps and websites to have safety advice and well-designed safety features which can make a real difference to how safe your child will be when using them. Work through safety and privacy features on the apps that your child is using, or might use. Make sure they understand the point of these and how to use them.

Don't be put off by believing your child knows more than you: the tools are actually quite easy to manage.

3. Keep talking and stay involved

In a mobile age, children can't be completely protected, even by the best privacy controls; another child may use different settings. So it's important to keep talking to your child about the implications of social media. Getting a sense of what they think is a useful place to start; you may be surprised by how much thought they may have given to the issues.

Encourage your child to think carefully about the way they, and others behave online, and how they might deal with difficult situations.

People may not always be who they say they are online: how can this create problems?

Why is it unwise to meet anyone in the real world that you've only ever met online?

Even if you think your messages are private, remember that words and images can always be captured and broadcast.

People present themselves differently online - do they really look like that? Are they always having that good a time?

Be aware that screens, and especially being anonymous, can lead people to say things they wouldn't say to someone's face.

What does being a good friend and a likeable person online look like?

There can be pressure to be part of a particular group online or to be seen to be following a certain set of ideas

How can you take a step back and make your own decisions?

4. For more information:

You can find out more about how children use social media, the apps they use, the risks they face, how to use privacy settings, and advice and tips about how to talk to your children at:

5. To make a report

Concerned about online grooming or sexual behaviour online?

Contact CEOP: www.ceop.police.uk

If you stumble across criminal sexual or obscene content on the internet you should report it to the Internet Watch Foundation: www.iwf.org.uk

This document is also available as a PDF here

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Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media

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This document is also available as a PDF here Social networking is hugely popular. Many young people are sophisticated in the way they use social media apps and websites, tailoring their communication for different audiences, and accessing them from a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and games consoles.

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Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide.

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Safer Internet Day 2024 - UK Safer Internet Centre

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Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide.

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LGBT+ History Month Claiming our past - Celebrating our present - Creating our future LGBT+ History Month is for everyone; whether you work in education, a museum, library or art gallery, a business, a service, are a member of a network/social group or an individual.

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Black History Month 2023 - Celebrating our Sisters | Matriarchs of Movements #WEMATTER

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In recognition of their leadership, talent, and impact, this year's Black History Month 2023 will highlight pioneering black women who have blazed a trail in literature, music, fashion, sport, business, hair, catering, academia, social and health care, and more.

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Annual week of advocacy to raise awareness, educate and take action to stop knife crime

Knife crime is a societal problem, so it is everyone's responsibility.

We host Knife Crime Awareness Week to highlight the complexity of the problem, the devastation that it causes to families and communities and ultimately that knife crime is preventable.

Through raising awareness, educating others and taking action, we can all be the change that is needed.

Join us in our quest to #StopKnifeCrime

Knife Crime Awareness week is an annual event which takes place in May

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Knife Crime Awareness Week | The Ben Kinsella Trust

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Knife Crime Awareness Week is an annual week of advocacy in May to raise awareness, educate and take action to stop knife crime

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Achievement Awards

An annual event celebrating the achievements of young people from alternative education provisions

In association with The Joshua Ribera Foundation CIC

The talk Alison gave was great and I could relate to it. I enjoyed everything and it made me think twice about knives.

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Alison Cope - Anti Violence Campaigner Alison Cope is the mother of Joshua Ribera who was murdered in 2013. Since Joshua's death Alison has worked tirelessly to share her son's life and death story to educate young people about the real consequences of youth violence.

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A Parent’s First Aid Guide for Treating 10 Common Kid Injuries

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Sometimes, kids get hurt—it comes with the territory! Here are 10 basic first-aid tips for bumps and burns to nosebleeds and twisted ankles. Handle them like a pro and help your child stay calm in the process.

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Getting someone through a medical crisis

Basic first aid procedures can help you get someone through a medical crisis, at least until the paramedics arrive or you can get them to a hospital. The best way to prepare for these events is to get official first aid training, such as that offered by the American Red Cross.

Until you're able to do that, though, you can learn some basic first aid procedures. That way, you can respond the right way when someone needs you to.

First aid is the care a sick or injured person gets before they get full medical treatment. In some cases, it may be the only care someone needs, while in others, it may keep them safe until paramedics arrive or someone else gets them to the hospital.

First aid can include everything from bandaging a minor wound to preventing shock to keeping someone's heart beating during a cardiac event. Ideally, it should be performed by someone who's taken a class and is certified in first aid, but if no one is available, anyone with some basic knowledge can pitch in.

When someone is unconscious or unresponsive, a basic tenet of first aid is ABC:

Airway: If someone's not breathing, clear their airway.

Breathing: If the airway is clear and they're still not breathing, provide rescue breathing.

Circulation: Chest compressions to keep blood circulating should be performed along with rescue breathing. If the person is breathing but unresponsive, check their pulse to see if their heart has stopped and, if so, provide chest compressions.

An alternate and simpler version of the ABCs is:

Awake? If not, try to wake them. If they don't wake up, make sure someone is calling 911 and move on to B.

Breathing? If not, start rescue breathing and chest compressions. If so, move on to C.

Continue care: Follow instructions from 911 or continue treatment until an ambulance arrives.

Some courses also include D and possibly E, as well:

D can stand for disability assessment, which is fairly complicated for someone without medical training. It also sometimes stands for deadly bleeding, which needs to be stopped, or defibrillator if someone's heart has stopped and an automated external defibrillator (AED) device is available.

E stands for examination-evaluating the person for signs of injury, bleeding, allergies, or other problems once you know they're breathing and their heart is beating.

What is an AED?

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable, easy-to-use device that can check someone's heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electric shock to correct the rhythm.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most important medical procedure of all. If a person is in cardiac arrest (the heart is no longer pumping blood) and CPR is not performed, that person will die. On the other hand, performing CPR or using an AED could save a life.

AEDs are available in many public areas and businesses. These devices are simplified for use even if you have never been trained. CPR training will include getting familiar with AED use, which can save valuable time if you need to use one.

First Aid for Suspected Cardiac Arrest

When you suspect someone is in cardiac arrest:

1. Get someone to call 911 or the medical alert system for your location.

2. Start chest compressions immediately. Push down hard and fast in the center of the chest, allowing the chest to come back up naturally between compressions. Continue until someone with more training has arrived.

3. If you're trained in CPR, use chest compressions and rescue breathing.

4. Use an AED if one is available. It's important to not delay chest compressions, though, so have someone else find one while you do chest compressions.

Taking a formal CPR class will help you become familiar with chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use, and that can make all the difference if you're around when someone has a heart attack. To take a class, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or look online for classes in your community. You can also take an online-only class if none are available in your area.

Bleeding

Bleeding is usually fairly obvious, especially if it's severe. While it is important to stop the bleeding, remember the ABCs and check first for something more serious.

Regardless of severity, almost all bleeding can be controlled, so don't think you can't help someone who's bleeding a lot. If severe bleeding is allowed to continue, it can lead to shock and, eventually, death.

It's easy to overestimate the amount of blood loss you're witnessing. To get an accurate assessment of what type of bleeding it is, look at its color and how it's leaving the body.

Capillaries: Bleeding from capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels, looks like a trickle and will usually stop on its own.

Veins: A consistent blood flow and blood that's a dark red color is most likely coming from the veins. It can result in anywhere from mild to severe bleeding that can be rapid.

Arteries: Arteries are the largest blood vessels and are under pressure, so blood spurts from the wound. It's also bright red, as it carries more oxygen. Blood can be lost most rapidly from an arterial bleed and it's always considered an emergency.

Call 911 or get the person to a hospital any time you suspect arterial bleeding, blood is soaking through bandages, or the bleeding won't stop. Make sure someone can keep treating the person during the drive or while you wait for an ambulance.

Whenever possible, wash your hands when treating a wound to help prevent infection. Wear latex or nitrile gloves if they're available. This can protect you from infections in the injured person's blood, including viral hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.

First Aid for Bleeding

If you're faced with bleeding:

1. Rinse the wound with water if possible.

2. Cover the wound with a gauze or cloth (towel, blanket, clothing, whatever's available).

3. Apply direct pressure to stop the blood flow and encourage clotting.

4. If possible, elevate the bleeding body part above the heart.

5. Don't remove the cloth if it becomes soaked through, but add more layers if needed. Removing the first layer will interfere with the clotting process and result in more blood loss.

6. Once bleeding is stopped, apply a clean bandage.

Get medical help when the wound:

Is deep

Has widely separated sides

Oozes blood after pressure has been applied

Is from a bite (human or animal)

Is a puncture, burn, or electrical injury

Should You Use a Tourniquet?

Using a tourniquet is somewhat controversial except in dire emergencies in which a person's life could be at stake. Some argue that tourniquets can do more harm than good, possibly leading to a limb amputation due to tissue damage.

A 2018 review of published research found that some arterial injury and limb damage were reported, but infrequently. However, the studies they examined had a lot of shortcomings and inconsistencies. The researchers called for standardized data collection of limb trauma and tourniquet use to help determine their safety and effectiveness.

The value of using elevation or pressure points (pressing on an artery to slow blood flow) is debated, with some experts and organizations saying to use them and others leaving these steps out of their first aid instruction.

Choking

Choking due to a windpipe obstruction is a serious situation that can make someone lose consciousness and even die if the obstruction isn't removed. Procedures are different for babies who are less than a year old.

Before you start first aid on someone for choking, make sure they really need it. If they're coughing or talking, leave them alone. That's not really choking. Signs of choking include:

Gagging, gasping, or wheezing

Inability to talk or make noise

Turning blue in the face

Grabbing at the throat

Waving arms

Appearing panicked

If the person is conscious and old enough to respond properly, ask if they're choking before you start first aid. In anyone but an infant, that means performing the Heimlich maneuver.

First Aid for Choking

To perform the Heimlich maneuver:

1. Stand behind the person and lean them slightly forward

2. Put your arms around their waist

3. Clench a fist and place it between their navel and rib cage

4. Grab your fist with your other hand

5. Pull the clenched fist sharply backward and upward under their rib cage in 5 quick thrusts. Repeat until the object is coughed up.

For someone who's obese or pregnant, perform thrusts around the chest instead of the abdomen.

If someone is unconscious:

1. Place them on their back and kneel over them

2. Place the heel of your hand slightly above the navel

3. Place your other hand on top of it

4. Give quick upward thrusts to dislodge the obstruction

Burns

The first step to treating a burn is to stop the burning process. Chemicals need to be cleaned off. Electricity needs to be turned off. Heat needs to be cooled down with running water. Sunburn victims need to be covered up or go inside.

No matter what caused the burns or how bad they are, stopping the burn comes before treating the burn. The severity of a burn is based on its depth and size:

First-degree burn: This affects only the outer layer of skin and causes redness and swelling. It is always considered a minor burn.

Second-degree burn: This affects two layers of skin and causes blistering along with redness and swelling. It is considered a major burn if it's more than 3 inches wide or on the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or over a major joint.

Third-degree burns: This affects deeper layers of skin and causes white or blackened skin that may be numb. It is always considered a major burn.

Major burns need emergency medical attention, so call 911 or get someone else to call once the burning process has been stopped.

First Aid for Burns

Take these first aid steps:

1. Flush the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. Do not use ice.

2. Apply a light gauze bandage.

3. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief if necessary.

4. Do not break any blisters that may have formed.

Do not apply ointments, butter, or oily remedies to a burn.

Blisters

Whether a blister needs any treatment is debatable. If the blister is small, unbroken, and not very painful, it's probably best to leave it alone. Cover it to prevent continued rubbing and pressure that could cause it to swell more and possibly burst on its own.

Blisters are designed to protect the damaged skin underneath while it heals. Popping them not only disrupts this natural healing process, but it can also let in bacteria that cause an infection.

If you have a compromised immune system-such as from HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or immunosuppressant drugs -you have a heightened risk of infection and shouldn't drain a blister on your own. Your doctor may want to drain it to protect you from infection.

First Aid for Blisters

If the blister is large or painful-especially if the activity that caused it isn't finished (such as if you are in the middle of a hike)-follow these steps to drain and dress a blister:

1. Wash your hands and sterilize a needle with alcohol.

2. Make small punctures at the edge of the blister.

3. Gently push the fluid out.

4. Apply antibiotic ointment.

5. Bandage it.

6. If possible, take steps to protect the area from further rubbing or pressure.

If the blister broke open on its own:

1. Gently wash with clean water only.

2. Smooth the flap of broken skin over the newly exposed skin, unless it's dirty, torn, or pus has gathered under it.

3. Apply petroleum jelly.

4. Bandage it.

Change the bandage any time it gets wet. Take it off when you go to bed so the area can dry.

Broken Bone or Fracture

Any injury to your limbs, hands, and feet needs to be treated as a broken bone (fracture) until an X-ray can confirm whether it's broken. While fractures do need medical treatment so they can heal properly, they don't all require an ambulance or an emergency trip to the hospital.

However, you should call 911 immediately if:

The person is bleeding profusely, unconscious or unresponsive, not breathing, or has numerous injuries (try to stop the bleeding or start CPR if necessary)

You suspect a fracture or other serious injury to the spinal column, head, hip, pelvis, or thigh-the person should not be moved except by trained medical personnel

A broken bone protrudes from the skin (called an open or compound fracture)

The area below an injured joint feels cold and clammy or becomes bluish

You can't immobilize the injury well enough to transport the person

Otherwise, after using first aid, you can go to urgent care or contact your doctor's office and ask for guidance. They'll likely want to see the injured person right away so any broken bone(s) can be properly set and treated.

First Aid for Suspected Fracture

Take these steps for a suspected fracture:

1. Don't try to straighten it.

2. For a limb, use a splint and padding to immobilize it.

3. Put a cold pack on the injury, with a barrier between it and the skin to prevent tissue damage. If ice is all that's available, put it in a plastic bag and wrap it in a shirt or towel.

4. If it's an extremity, elevate it.

5. Give anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) for pain.

Research has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Aleve can slow bone healing, which is a process that depends on inflammation. However, short-term NSAID use appears to have little or no effect and doesn't appear to have a significant effect on bone healing in children. So it should be safe to use these medications to help the person get through the intense, acute pain that follows a fracture.

Sprains

A sprain is an injury to ligaments, which are connective tissues that holds bones, cartilage, and joints together. Sprains are generally caused by a violent wrenching or twisting of a joint, which over-stretches or tears the ligament. Common places for a sprain are the ankle and wrist.

The symptoms of a sprain are almost exactly the same as those of a broken bone (barring a compound fracture or visible deformities). Because even a doctor may not be sure whether it's a break or sprain until after an X-ray, first aid for sprains should be largely the same as for broken bones.

The first thing to do is make sure the injured person stops any unnecessary activity so they don't make the injury worse. Then you can begin first aid.

First Aid for Sprains

For a suspected sprain:

1. Immobilize the limb

2. Apply a cold pack

3. Elevate the injured part if you can do so safely

4. Use NSAIDs for pain

See your doctor soon for further diagnosis and treatment.

As with fractures, sprains often don't require emergency treatment. However, you should get immediate medical care if the injured person has:

Severe pain with movement or touch

Ongoing inability to bear weight on the injured joint

Increased bruising

Numbness or pins-and-needles near the sprain

Signs of infection

Little or no improvement during the first week

Nosebleeds

Most of us have had a bloody nose at some time in our lives. It simply means bleeding from the inside of the nose due to trauma. The biggest cause of a nosebleed is digital trauma-otherwise known as picking it. It can also be caused by environmental factors, medical conditions (some minor, some serious), medications, and recreational drugs. Causes include:

Many of these things dry out or damage the delicate nasal membranes in your nostrils, causing them to become crusty and burst when irritated.

First Aid for Nosebleed

The first aid for nosebleed includes:

1. Lean slightly forward, not back.

2. Pinch the nose just below the bridge, high enough that the nostrils aren't pinched closed.

3. Check after five minutes to see if bleeding has stopped. If not, continue pinching and check after another 10 minutes.

4. You can also apply a cold pack to the bridge of the nose while pinching.

See a doctor if:

You get frequent nosebleeds

You have anemia symptoms (weakness, faintness, fatigue, pale skin)

You're taking blood thinners

You have a clotting disorder

You just started a new medication

You also have unusual bruising

A nosebleed needs emergency medical treatment when:

It won't stop even after more than 15 minutes of direct pressure

You're losing a lot of blood

You have a hard time breathing

You've swallowed a lot of blood and vomited it up

You've had a serious injury or a blow to the head

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the body's tissues freeze deeply in the cold-ice crystals form in the tissues and damage your cells. This is the opposite of a burn, but the damage it does to your skin is almost identical.

First Aid for Frostbite

Treating frostbite is a delicate procedure of gradual warming. If at all possible, this should be done by professionals at a medical facility. If that's not possible, or while awaiting an ambulance, you can begin first aid:

1. Get out of the cold.

2. Immerse the affected area in warm water (98 to 105 F) for 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Do not rub the affected area.

4. Do not use sources of dry heat (like a heating pad or fire air).

5. For fingers and toes: After they're warm, put clean cotton balls between them.

6. Loosely wrap the area with bandages.

7. Use Tylenol or Advil for pain.

8. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

For small areas of minor frostbite, you can also warm the area with skin-to-skin contact.

Get emergency treatment if the skin is hard and begins turning white.

Bee Stings

Bee stings are annoyingly painful for most people, but they can be deadly for those who are allergic to bee venom.

First Aid for Bee-Venom Allergy

If the person who was stung has a known allergy to bee stings, use an EpiPen to prevent anaphylaxis. If one isn't available, call 911.

An allergy to bees can develop at any time, even in someone who's been stung many times before, so it's important to always watch for signs of an allergic reaction after a sting. Just about any bee sting will cause pain, redness, and swelling. In an allergic reaction, look for:

Swelling away from the area that was stung

Flushing

Hives

Itching

Signs of anaphylaxis, which include impaired breathing and shock (anxiety, bluish lips and fingernails, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, profuse sweating, and skin that's pale, cool, and clammy)

Call 911 immediately or get the person to the hospital if any of these signs appear.

In someone without a known bee allergy, watch for signs of an allergy while performing first aid.

First Aid for Bee Stings

Follow these steps for bee sting first aid:

1. Get the stinger out any way you can to keep it from injecting more venom. The method doesn't matter-it's most important to do it quickly.

2. Wash the area with soap and water.

3. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling at the site, but don't apply ice directly to the skin.

4. Use an antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to reduce swelling and itching.

5. Use Advil or Tylenol for pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ABCs of first aid?

ABC in first aid traditionally stands for airway, breathing, and circulation. When someone is unconscious or unresponsive, you should check and clear their airway and provide rescue breathing and chest compressions. ABC can also stand for awake, breathing, and continue care.

What are common first-aid procedures?

First-aid procedures covered in a basic course include CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and how to assess and treat minor injuries including wounds, burns, sprains, and broken bones.

What are the three Ps of first aid?

The three Ps of first aid are:

Preserve life

Prevent deterioration

Promote recovery

Thanks for your feedback!

What are your concerns?

Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. American Red Cross. What is AED?

2. American Heart Association. Saving lives: Why CPR AED training matter. Updated June 4, 2020.

3. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Cuts. Updated July 2018.

4. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Bleeding. Updated April 2, 2021.

5. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. Emergencies and first aid- Direct pressure to stop bleeding. Updated February 3, 2017.

6. American College of Surgeons. Stop the bleed: Save a life. Updated 2017.

7. American College of Emergency Physicians: EmergencyPhysicians.org. Choking/Heimlich maneuver.

8. KidsHealth by Nemours. First aid: Choking. Updated January 2018.

9. National CPR Foundation. Choking, hypothermia & dehydration.

10. American Burn Association. Initial first aid treatment for minor burns.

11. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Burns. Updated April 2, 2021.

12. Cleveland Clinic. Blisters: Caues, treatments - and why you should never pop them. Updated August 31, 2018.

13. University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine. Blister care. Updated February 26, 2020.

14. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Broken bones. Updated May 2018.

15. TeensHealth from Nemours. First aid: Broken bones. Updated May 2018.

16. Cleveland Clinic. Sprains of the ankle, knee, and wrist. July 28, 2020.

17. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Strains and sprains. July 2018.

18. Cleveland Clinic. Nosebleed (epistaxis). October 23, 2019.

19. TeensHealth from Nemours. Nosebleeds. Updated September 2019.

20. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Frostbite. Updated July 2018.

21. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Allergist. Insect sting allergy. Updated February 5, 2018.

22. Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Shock. Updated April 2, 2021.

23. American Red Cross. First aid steps.

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Basic First Aid Procedures You Should Know

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Basic first aid procedures can help you get someone through a medical crisis, at least until the paramedics arrive or you can get them to a hospital. The best way to prepare for these events is to get official first aid training, such as that offered by the American Red Cross.

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Getting someone through a medical crisis

Basic first aid procedures can help you get someone through a medical crisis, at least until the paramedics arrive or you can get them to a hospital. The best way to prepare for these events is to get official first aid training, such as that offered by the American Red Cross.

Until you're able to do that, though, you can learn some basic first aid procedures. That way, you can respond the right way when someone needs you to.

First aid is the care a sick or injured person gets before they get full medical treatment. In some cases, it may be the only care someone needs, while in others, it may keep them safe until paramedics arrive or someone else gets them to the hospital.

First aid can include everything from bandaging a minor wound to preventing shock to keeping someone's heart beating during a cardiac event. Ideally, it should be performed by someone who's taken a class and is certified in first aid, but if no one is available, anyone with some basic knowledge can pitch in.

When someone is unconscious or unresponsive, a basic tenet of first aid is ABC:

Airway: If someone's not breathing, clear their airway.

Breathing: If the airway is clear and they're still not breathing, provide rescue breathing.

Circulation: Chest compressions to keep blood circulating should be performed along with rescue breathing. If the person is breathing but unresponsive, check their pulse to see if their heart has stopped and, if so, provide chest compressions.

An alternate and simpler version of the ABCs is:

Awake? If not, try to wake them. If they don't wake up, make sure someone is calling 911 and move on to B.

Breathing? If not, start rescue breathing and chest compressions. If so, move on to C.

Continue care: Follow instructions from 911 or continue treatment until an ambulance arrives.

Some courses also include D and possibly E, as well:

D can stand for disability assessment, which is fairly complicated for someone without medical training. It also sometimes stands for deadly bleeding, which needs to be stopped, or defibrillator if someone's heart has stopped and an automated external defibrillator (AED) device is available.

E stands for examination-evaluating the person for signs of injury, bleeding, allergies, or other problems once you know they're breathing and their heart is beating.

What is an AED?

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable, easy-to-use device that can check someone's heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electric shock to correct the rhythm.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most important medical procedure of all. If a person is in cardiac arrest (the heart is no longer pumping blood) and CPR is not performed, that person will die. On the other hand, performing CPR or using an AED could save a life.

AEDs are available in many public areas and businesses. These devices are simplified for use even if you have never been trained. CPR training will include getting familiar with AED use, which can save valuable time if you need to use one.

First Aid for Suspected Cardiac Arrest

When you suspect someone is in cardiac arrest:

1. Get someone to call 911 or the medical alert system for your location.

2. Start chest compressions immediately. Push down hard and fast in the center of the chest, allowing the chest to come back up naturally between compressions. Continue until someone with more training has arrived.

3. If you're trained in CPR, use chest compressions and rescue breathing.

4. Use an AED if one is available. It's important to not delay chest compressions, though, so have someone else find one while you do chest compressions.

Taking a formal CPR class will help you become familiar with chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED use, and that can make all the difference if you're around when someone has a heart attack. To take a class, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or look online for classes in your community. You can also take an online-only class if none are available in your area.

Bleeding

Bleeding is usually fairly obvious, especially if it's severe. While it is important to stop the bleeding, remember the ABCs and check first for something more serious.

Regardless of severity, almost all bleeding can be controlled, so don't think you can't help someone who's bleeding a lot. If severe bleeding is allowed to continue, it can lead to shock and, eventually, death.

It's easy to overestimate the amount of blood loss you're witnessing. To get an accurate assessment of what type of bleeding it is, look at its color and how it's leaving the body.

Capillaries: Bleeding from capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels, looks like a trickle and will usually stop on its own.

Veins: A consistent blood flow and blood that's a dark red color is most likely coming from the veins. It can result in anywhere from mild to severe bleeding that can be rapid.

Arteries: Arteries are the largest blood vessels and are under pressure, so blood spurts from the wound. It's also bright red, as it carries more oxygen. Blood can be lost most rapidly from an arterial bleed and it's always considered an emergency.

Call 911 or get the person to a hospital any time you suspect arterial bleeding, blood is soaking through bandages, or the bleeding won't stop. Make sure someone can keep treating the person during the drive or while you wait for an ambulance.

Whenever possible, wash your hands when treating a wound to help prevent infection. Wear latex or nitrile gloves if they're available. This can protect you from infections in the injured person's blood, including viral hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.

First Aid for Bleeding

If you're faced with bleeding:

1. Rinse the wound with water if possible.

2. Cover the wound with a gauze or cloth (towel, blanket, clothing, whatever's available).

3. Apply direct pressure to stop the blood flow and encourage clotting.

4. If possible, elevate the bleeding body part above the heart.

5. Don't remove the cloth if it becomes soaked through, but add more layers if needed. Removing the first layer will interfere with the clotting process and result in more blood loss.

6. Once bleeding is stopped, apply a clean bandage.

Get medical help when the wound:

Is deep

Has widely separated sides

Oozes blood after pressure has been applied

Is from a bite (human or animal)

Is a puncture, burn, or electrical injury

Should You Use a Tourniquet?

Using a tourniquet is somewhat controversial except in dire emergencies in which a person's life could be at stake. Some argue that tourniquets can do more harm than good, possibly leading to a limb amputation due to tissue damage.

A 2018 review of published research found that some arterial injury and limb damage were reported, but infrequently. However, the studies they examined had a lot of shortcomings and inconsistencies. The researchers called for standardized data collection of limb trauma and tourniquet use to help determine their safety and effectiveness.

The value of using elevation or pressure points (pressing on an artery to slow blood flow) is debated, with some experts and organizations saying to use them and others leaving these steps out of their first aid instruction.

Choking

Choking due to a windpipe obstruction is a serious situation that can make someone lose consciousness and even die if the obstruction isn't removed. Procedures are different for babies who are less than a year old.

Before you start first aid on someone for choking, make sure they really need it. If they're coughing or talking, leave them alone. That's not really choking. Signs of choking include:

Gagging, gasping, or wheezing

Inability to talk or make noise

Turning blue in the face

Grabbing at the throat

Waving arms

Appearing panicked

If the person is conscious and old enough to respond properly, ask if they're choking before you start first aid. In anyone but an infant, that means performing the Heimlich maneuver.

First Aid for Choking

To perform the Heimlich maneuver:

1. Stand behind the person and lean them slightly forward

2. Put your arms around their waist

3. Clench a fist and place it between their navel and rib cage

4. Grab your fist with your other hand

5. Pull the clenched fist sharply backward and upward under their rib cage in 5 quick thrusts. Repeat until the object is coughed up.

For someone who's obese or pregnant, perform thrusts around the chest instead of the abdomen.

If someone is unconscious:

1. Place them on their back and kneel over them

2. Place the heel of your hand slightly above the navel

3. Place your other hand on top of it

4. Give quick upward thrusts to dislodge the obstruction

Burns

The first step to treating a burn is to stop the burning process. Chemicals need to be cleaned off. Electricity needs to be turned off. Heat needs to be cooled down with running water. Sunburn victims need to be covered up or go inside.

No matter what caused the burns or how bad they are, stopping the burn comes before treating the burn. The severity of a burn is based on its depth and size:

First-degree burn: This affects only the outer layer of skin and causes redness and swelling. It is always considered a minor burn.

Second-degree burn: This affects two layers of skin and causes blistering along with redness and swelling. It is considered a major burn if it's more than 3 inches wide or on the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or over a major joint.

Third-degree burns: This affects deeper layers of skin and causes white or blackened skin that may be numb. It is always considered a major burn.

Major burns need emergency medical attention, so call 911 or get someone else to call once the burning process has been stopped.

First Aid for Burns

Take these first aid steps:

1. Flush the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. Do not use ice.

2. Apply a light gauze bandage.

3. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief if necessary.

4. Do not break any blisters that may have formed.

Do not apply ointments, butter, or oily remedies to a burn.

Blisters

Whether a blister needs any treatment is debatable. If the blister is small, unbroken, and not very painful, it's probably best to leave it alone. Cover it to prevent continued rubbing and pressure that could cause it to swell more and possibly burst on its own.

Blisters are designed to protect the damaged skin underneath while it heals. Popping them not only disrupts this natural healing process, but it can also let in bacteria that cause an infection.

If you have a compromised immune system-such as from HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or immunosuppressant drugs -you have a heightened risk of infection and shouldn't drain a blister on your own. Your doctor may want to drain it to protect you from infection.

First Aid for Blisters

If the blister is large or painful-especially if the activity that caused it isn't finished (such as if you are in the middle of a hike)-follow these steps to drain and dress a blister:

1. Wash your hands and sterilize a needle with alcohol.

2. Make small punctures at the edge of the blister.

3. Gently push the fluid out.

4. Apply antibiotic ointment.

5. Bandage it.

6. If possible, take steps to protect the area from further rubbing or pressure.

If the blister broke open on its own:

1. Gently wash with clean water only.

2. Smooth the flap of broken skin over the newly exposed skin, unless it's dirty, torn, or pus has gathered under it.

3. Apply petroleum jelly.

4. Bandage it.

Change the bandage any time it gets wet. Take it off when you go to bed so the area can dry.

Broken Bone or Fracture

Any injury to your limbs, hands, and feet needs to be treated as a broken bone (fracture) until an X-ray can confirm whether it's broken. While fractures do need medical treatment so they can heal properly, they don't all require an ambulance or an emergency trip to the hospital.

However, you should call 911 immediately if:

The person is bleeding profusely, unconscious or unresponsive, not breathing, or has numerous injuries (try to stop the bleeding or start CPR if necessary)

You suspect a fracture or other serious injury to the spinal column, head, hip, pelvis, or thigh-the person should not be moved except by trained medical personnel

A broken bone protrudes from the skin (called an open or compound fracture)

The area below an injured joint feels cold and clammy or becomes bluish

You can't immobilize the injury well enough to transport the person

Otherwise, after using first aid, you can go to urgent care or contact your doctor's office and ask for guidance. They'll likely want to see the injured person right away so any broken bone(s) can be properly set and treated.

First Aid for Suspected Fracture

Take these steps for a suspected fracture:

1. Don't try to straighten it.

2. For a limb, use a splint and padding to immobilize it.

3. Put a cold pack on the injury, with a barrier between it and the skin to prevent tissue damage. If ice is all that's available, put it in a plastic bag and wrap it in a shirt or towel.

4. If it's an extremity, elevate it.

5. Give anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) for pain.

Research has shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil and Aleve can slow bone healing, which is a process that depends on inflammation. However, short-term NSAID use appears to have little or no effect and doesn't appear to have a significant effect on bone healing in children. So it should be safe to use these medications to help the person get through the intense, acute pain that follows a fracture.

Sprains

A sprain is an injury to ligaments, which are connective tissues that holds bones, cartilage, and joints together. Sprains are generally caused by a violent wrenching or twisting of a joint, which over-stretches or tears the ligament. Common places for a sprain are the ankle and wrist.

The symptoms of a sprain are almost exactly the same as those of a broken bone (barring a compound fracture or visible deformities). Because even a doctor may not be sure whether it's a break or sprain until after an X-ray, first aid for sprains should be largely the same as for broken bones.

The first thing to do is make sure the injured person stops any unnecessary activity so they don't make the injury worse. Then you can begin first aid.

First Aid for Sprains

For a suspected sprain:

1. Immobilize the limb

2. Apply a cold pack

3. Elevate the injured part if you can do so safely

4. Use NSAIDs for pain

See your doctor soon for further diagnosis and treatment.

As with fractures, sprains often don't require emergency treatment. However, you should get immediate medical care if the injured person has:

Severe pain with movement or touch

Ongoing inability to bear weight on the injured joint

Increased bruising

Numbness or pins-and-needles near the sprain

Signs of infection

Little or no improvement during the first week

Nosebleeds

Most of us have had a bloody nose at some time in our lives. It simply means bleeding from the inside of the nose due to trauma. The biggest cause of a nosebleed is digital trauma-otherwise known as picking it. It can also be caused by environmental factors, medical conditions (some minor, some serious), medications, and recreational drugs. Causes include:

Many of these things dry out or damage the delicate nasal membranes in your nostrils, causing them to become crusty and burst when irritated.

First Aid for Nosebleed

The first aid for nosebleed includes:

1. Lean slightly forward, not back.

2. Pinch the nose just below the bridge, high enough that the nostrils aren't pinched closed.

3. Check after five minutes to see if bleeding has stopped. If not, continue pinching and check after another 10 minutes.

4. You can also apply a cold pack to the bridge of the nose while pinching.

See a doctor if:

You get frequent nosebleeds

You have anemia symptoms (weakness, faintness, fatigue, pale skin)

You're taking blood thinners

You have a clotting disorder

You just started a new medication

You also have unusual bruising

A nosebleed needs emergency medical treatment when:

It won't stop even after more than 15 minutes of direct pressure

You're losing a lot of blood

You have a hard time breathing

You've swallowed a lot of blood and vomited it up

You've had a serious injury or a blow to the head

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the body's tissues freeze deeply in the cold-ice crystals form in the tissues and damage your cells. This is the opposite of a burn, but the damage it does to your skin is almost identical.

First Aid for Frostbite

Treating frostbite is a delicate procedure of gradual warming. If at all possible, this should be done by professionals at a medical facility. If that's not possible, or while awaiting an ambulance, you can begin first aid:

1. Get out of the cold.

2. Immerse the affected area in warm water (98 to 105 F) for 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Do not rub the affected area.

4. Do not use sources of dry heat (like a heating pad or fire air).

5. For fingers and toes: After they're warm, put clean cotton balls between them.

6. Loosely wrap the area with bandages.

7. Use Tylenol or Advil for pain.

8. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

For small areas of minor frostbite, you can also warm the area with skin-to-skin contact.

Get emergency treatment if the skin is hard and begins turning white.

Bee Stings

Bee stings are annoyingly painful for most people, but they can be deadly for those who are allergic to bee venom.

First Aid for Bee-Venom Allergy

If the person who was stung has a known allergy to bee stings, use an EpiPen to prevent anaphylaxis. If one isn't available, call 911.

An allergy to bees can develop at any time, even in someone who's been stung many times before, so it's important to always watch for signs of an allergic reaction after a sting. Just about any bee sting will cause pain, redness, and swelling. In an allergic reaction, look for:

Swelling away from the area that was stung

Flushing

Hives

Itching

Signs of anaphylaxis, which include impaired breathing and shock (anxiety, bluish lips and fingernails, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, profuse sweating, and skin that's pale, cool, and clammy)

Call 911 immediately or get the person to the hospital if any of these signs appear.

In someone without a known bee allergy, watch for signs of an allergy while performing first aid.

First Aid for Bee Stings

Follow these steps for bee sting first aid:

1. Get the stinger out any way you can to keep it from injecting more venom. The method doesn't matter-it's most important to do it quickly.

2. Wash the area with soap and water.

3. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling at the site, but don't apply ice directly to the skin.

4. Use an antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to reduce swelling and itching.

5. Use Advil or Tylenol for pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ABCs of first aid?

ABC in first aid traditionally stands for airway, breathing, and circulation. When someone is unconscious or unresponsive, you should check and clear their airway and provide rescue breathing and chest compressions. ABC can also stand for awake, breathing, and continue care.

What are common first-aid procedures?

First-aid procedures covered in a basic course include CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and how to assess and treat minor injuries including wounds, burns, sprains, and broken bones.

What are the three Ps of first aid?

The three Ps of first aid are:

Preserve life

Prevent deterioration

Promote recovery

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Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. American Red Cross. What is AED?

2. American Heart Association. Saving lives: Why CPR AED training matter. Updated June 4, 2020.

3. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Cuts. Updated July 2018.

4. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Bleeding. Updated April 2, 2021.

5. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing. Emergencies and first aid- Direct pressure to stop bleeding. Updated February 3, 2017.

6. American College of Surgeons. Stop the bleed: Save a life. Updated 2017.

7. American College of Emergency Physicians: EmergencyPhysicians.org. Choking/Heimlich maneuver.

8. KidsHealth by Nemours. First aid: Choking. Updated January 2018.

9. National CPR Foundation. Choking, hypothermia & dehydration.

10. American Burn Association. Initial first aid treatment for minor burns.

11. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Burns. Updated April 2, 2021.

12. Cleveland Clinic. Blisters: Caues, treatments - and why you should never pop them. Updated August 31, 2018.

13. University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine. Blister care. Updated February 26, 2020.

14. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Broken bones. Updated May 2018.

15. TeensHealth from Nemours. First aid: Broken bones. Updated May 2018.

16. Cleveland Clinic. Sprains of the ankle, knee, and wrist. July 28, 2020.

17. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Strains and sprains. July 2018.

18. Cleveland Clinic. Nosebleed (epistaxis). October 23, 2019.

19. TeensHealth from Nemours. Nosebleeds. Updated September 2019.

20. KidsHealth from Nemours. First aid: Frostbite. Updated July 2018.

21. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Allergist. Insect sting allergy. Updated February 5, 2018.

22. Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Shock. Updated April 2, 2021.

23. American Red Cross. First aid steps.

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Basic First Aid Procedures You Should Know

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Basic first aid procedures can help you get someone through a medical crisis, at least until the paramedics arrive or you can get them to a hospital. The best way to prepare for these events is to get official first aid training, such as that offered by the American Red Cross.

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13,998

people received emergency food supplies from us during 2022

1 IN 5

of the UK population live below the poverty line

Our shopping list can be found here .

GETTING HELP
For those requiring food parcels, we are operating as usual: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 1pm. If you are struggling to get a foodbank voucher referral or to collect a food parcel, please contact the Citizens Advice Bureau on freephone 0800 061 4808.

GIVING HELP
We're gratefully accepting food donations - the easiest way to get food to us is to pop it in one of the collection points at the local supermarkets in Watford. We currently have points in Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco Extra. You can see a list of our urgently needed items here .

Alternatively, you can drop food off at our warehouse (WD24 4YH) between 10am and 1pm, Monday - Saturday.

If you're able to support us financially, please follow the link to make a donation . Thank you for your support!

HOW THE FOODBANK WORKS
Watford Foodbank is here to help individuals and families in crisis by providing free emergency food as well as support until the appropriate agencies are in a position to assist. Tinned and dried food is collected from the public at supermarkets, churches, schools and other local groups and "banked" in a warehouse. Food is then given to people in crisis as a result of referrals from registered care professionals, such as Citizens Advice Bureau .

We are now funding a freephone line at Watford Citizens Advice for clients who need a foodbank voucher. The number is 0800 061 4808. Calls will be picked up Monday - Friday, 10am - midday. If you call outside of these hours, please leave a message and a member of the team will get back to you!

Find out more about foodbank vouchers here.

Find out how to get help from our foodbank

Get help

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Donate money 13,998 people received emergency food supplies from us during 2022 1 IN 5 of the UK population live below the poverty line GETTING HELP For those requiring food parcels, we are operating as usual: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 1pm.

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Get free, confidential support by phone from a trained volunteer, from 3pm to 12am every day.

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Whatever is causing you concern, we're here to listen. Whether it's your mental health, your studies, worries about money or relationships, we can support you and help you move forward.

This service is delivered in partnership with The Mix.

Call us FREE on 0808 808 4994

What you can expect from this service?

When you call us, we'll connect you with a trained helpline supporter.

The helpline supporter will listen and help you talk through any issue that you are experiencing.

The helpline supporter will provide you with the time, support and tools to help you to move forward.

More about this service

1. What can I speak to you about?

You can talk to us about anything that is causing you concern or distress. Whether it's your mental health, your studies, money, housing or relationships, we're here to listen and help you move forward.

2. Is it free?

Yes. Our helpline is available through a freephone number.

3. Is it confidential?

We believe you have the right to use our services confidentially, meaning what you say stays with us. However, sometimes we might contact other agencies or organisations to get you, or someone else, help.

If we contact another agency or organisation we will always try and do this with you knowing and with your consent. We would do this without your consent if we believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else.

4. When is it open?

Our phones are open 7 days a week from 3pm to 12am.

5. What kind of training do staff and volunteers get?

All our staff and volunteers undergo 30 hours of specialist training, including specialist modules on managing mental health conditions such as suicide and suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression and self-harm.

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Get free, confidential support by phone from a trained volunteer, from 3pm to 12am every day.

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Students Against Depression provides you with a calm environment and the resources to help you find a way forward - a website offering advice, information and guidance to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.

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Contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) if you're trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you've been forced into.

Call 999 in an emergency.

A trained professional will give you free advice on what to do next.

They can also help you:

find a safe place to stay

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What forced marriage is

You have the right to choose who you marry, when you marry or if you marry at all.

Forced marriage is when you face physical pressure to marry (for example, threats, physical violence or sexual violence) or emotional and psychological pressure (for example, if you're made to feel like you're bringing shame on your family).

If you're under 18 any marriage is considered a forced marriage, even if there is no physical or emotional pressure involved.

Forced marriage offences

Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales. This includes:

taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)

arranging a marriage for someone who lacks mental capacity (whether they're pressured to or not)

arranging a marriage for someone before they turn 18

Forcing someone to marry can result in a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

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You can ask the court for a forced marriage protection order.

Each order is unique, and is designed to protect you according to your individual circumstances. For example, the court may order someone to hand over your passport or reveal where you are.

In an emergency, an order can be made to protect you immediately.

Disobeying a forced marriage protection order can result in a sentence of up to 5 years in prison.

Forced marriage abroad

Contact the FMU if you think you're about to be taken abroad to get married against your will.

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Contact the FMU if you know someone who's been taken abroad to be forced into marriage.

Give as many details as you can, for example:

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when you last heard from them

The FMU will contact the relevant embassy.

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Support for victims

Read the handbook about being a survivor of forced marriage. It has details of organisations that can give you help and advice.

Get support if you're a victim of forced marriage in Scotland.

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