Foster families: first-aid and CPR standards

First Aid & CPR Kenya

Becoming a foster carer in Kenya means opening your home to a child in need of alternative family care. Being ready to respond to everyday emergencies — through a recognized first-aid and CPR certificate — is widely expected of approved carers, alongside the social welfare assessment.

The first-aid requirement

In Kenya, foster care is governed by the Children Act, 2022 and the Children (Foster Care Placement) Regulations, which set out who may foster and how applications are assessed by an authorised officer. The law focuses on eligibility, home suitability and the child's welfare; first aid is not named as a stand-alone rule, 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 rests with the National Council for Children's Services and a designated children's officer, who assess each applicant's home and suitability. A first-aid certificate is one element of readiness — kept current — in addition to the assessment, and never a substitute for it.

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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