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Planning school first-aid kits, signs and replenishment

First-aid resources should reflect the school’s needs assessment and cover the activities and places where help may be required. Plan kits, signs, trained personnel and replenishment together. A well-labelled container is useful only when staff know how to obtain help and its contents remain appropriate, complete and ready for use.

Schools Direct editorialUpdated 2 min read

Use the needs assessment to determine provision

DfE guidance bases school first-aid arrangements on assessed needs, including equipment, facilities and personnel. Use that assessment to identify locations and activities requiring provision, including off-site work and arrangements for staff absence. Early years settings also need to follow the requirements relevant to their provision.

Do not choose a kit solely by a generic people-count printed on its packaging. Ask the responsible first-aid lead to confirm the required contents and container for the actual setting. Keep the resource list connected to the school’s procedures and training, rather than treating a purchased box as the complete arrangement.

Make locations and signs easy to understand

Check where staff, pupils and visitors would look for assistance. Use appropriate first-aid identification and directional signs consistent with the school’s arrangements. A sign should lead to the actual current location, and its arrow should be tested from the reader’s approach rather than selected from a desk plan.

For a sports-field session, confirm how the planned first-aid provision reaches the activity and how staff communicate with the relevant person. Check the return routine afterwards. A portable kit that remains in a staff member’s vehicle can leave the next activity without the provision expected by the plan.

Keep supplies ready and records useful

DfE guidance calls for frequent kit checks, prompt restocking after use and safe removal of expired items. Assign a named role and an appropriate checking schedule. Record missing contents, expiry concerns and completed replenishment so the next checker can see what remains unresolved.

Store containers where authorised users can reach them as planned and inspect their condition. Keep treatment and incident records through the school’s approved confidential process, separate from a public stock checklist. Review provision when activities, premises or staffing change, and ensure new staff know the location of help and the procedure for reporting a used or incomplete kit.

Action checklist

  • Link kit contents and locations to the needs assessment.
  • Check cover for activities and staff absence.
  • Test first-aid signs against the actual route to help.
  • Assign stock checks, expiry review and prompt replenishment.

Common questions

Is there one mandatory contents list suitable for every school first-aid kit?

DfE guidance says the needs assessment determines provision. The responsible school lead should confirm appropriate contents for the setting and activities.

Sources and scope

Source titles are provided for reference. Check the current original guidance and your school's circumstances before making a policy or compliance decision.

  • Schools Direct editorial — Original school resource planning guidance and worked examples. Checked 1 November 2026.
  • Department for Education — First aid in schools, early years and further education. Checked 1 November 2026.

See how we prepare and maintain our guidance.

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