Foster families: first-aid and CPR standards

First Aid & CPR South Africa

Becoming a foster parent in South Africa means providing a safe home to a child placed in your care by a children's court. Being able to respond to everyday emergencies — through a recognized first-aid and CPR certificate — is part of the readiness expected of an approved carer, alongside the screening and training required by law.

The first-aid requirement

In South Africa, foster care is governed by the Children's Act 38 of 2005 and the General Regulations regarding Children, 2010, under which only a person screened and found fit and proper by a designated social worker — and who undergoes training — may be approved by a children's court. That training, delivered by a designated child protection organisation, covers carers' rights, responsibilities and parenting skills; first aid is not named as a stand-alone statute, but a current first-aid and CPR certificate from a recognized organization is commonly expected so carers can respond to injuries, choking or cardiac arrest.

Approval and supervision rest with the Department of Social Development and designated child protection organisations, informed by national norms, standards and practice guidelines. A first-aid certificate is one element of a carer's readiness — kept current — in addition to the screening, home visits and training, and never a substitute for approval.

How to meet it

A recognized, up-to-date first-aid and CPR certificate meets this requirement. It is in addition to the required training or assessment, and is renewed periodically.

See the recognized first-aid courses in your region

Training aligned with the latest emergency-care standards

Our CPR, AED and first-aid training is developed in line with the most recent international guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and first aid.

We rigorously follow the recommendations of ILCOR (International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation), the international body responsible for the scientific evaluation and development of global resuscitation standards. These recommendations serve as a reference for health organizations, institutions and professional orders worldwide — and are updated as scientific and clinical evidence evolves.

Keep your skills current with confidence

Every intervention can make a difference. Keeping CPR and emergency-care skills current is both a professional requirement and a responsibility toward patients, colleagues and the public.

See the recognized first-aid courses in your region

References

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