Oliver Steeper: Coroner urges DfE to strengthen nursery paediatric first aid requirements

Coroner Katina Hepburn has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report to the DfE following the inquest of nine-month-old Oliver who passed away in hospital after choking on food at Jelly Beans Nursery in Ashford, Kent in September 2021.

In her report, Ms Hepburn raises concern that staff in early years settings only need to renew their paediatric first aid (PFA) every three years, with no requirement for refresher training in between. Also, that only one member of staff with paediatric first aid needs to be ‘on site’ at any one time.

The report states, ‘I am concerned that the Framework (EYFS) does not mandate an increased number of qualified paediatric first aiders to be present on site. I have reviewed the current EYFS statutory framework, published 8th December 2023 and updated 4th January 2024. This contains the same provision as that which was in force at the time of Oliver’s death in 2021.

‘Whilst I accept that providers could potentially have more, there is a risk that there is only one PFA certified member of staff on site, and that this would still be compliant within the framework mandate.
 
‘If that one staff member is unavailable or indisposed when an emergency situation arises, or simply is unable to render the required first aid by nature of the traumatic events unfolding, this may in turn have a serious and detrimental effect on the child requiring assistance. Other staff members, who perhaps have not had recent PFA training, or staff with no PFA training at all, may have to urgently deal with the evolving situation.’

Paediatric first aid renewal

Referring to the renewal of first aid training for staff working in settings, Ms Hepburn states, ‘I am concerned that staff with a valid PFA training certificate, may have had the training up to three years earlier without having had any refresher training in the interim. They would still be compliant with the EYFS statutory framework requirements, but staff may not be able to recall the detail of their training to ensure correct and effective first aid is given, due to the passage of time.’

Within her report, the coroner also highlights the ‘limited evidence of any knowledge’ of the stages of baby weaning and the risk of a child choking on food among staff working at Jelly Beans Nursery.  She says that it is not clear whether the content covered in Level 1, 2 and 3 ‘Diplomas in Childcare and Education’ therefore adequately cover stages of weaning and how to do this safely in a nursery environment.

Ms Hepburn concludes, ‘I consider that you [DfE] would have the ability to make any changes to the statutory framework with respect to paediatric first aid training requirements for a nursery site, and duration of PFA certificates, and also the content of the Diploma training/refresher training in relation to weaning.

‘In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisations have the power to take such action.’

'We also had the same concerns leading out the inquest'.

Oliver’s family said they were pleased that concerns around paediatric first aid requirements and staff education regarding weaning stages have been identified as concerns.

Oliver’s father, Lewis Steeper, said,  ‘As a family we are pleased that concerns around Paediatric First Aid (PFA) Requirements, the Paediatric First Aid Training Validity Period and Staff Education Regarding Weaning Stages have all been identified as concerns, as we also had the same concerns leading out of the inquest.

‘Since losing Oliver after the choking incident at the Jelly Beans nursery in September 2021, our mission has been to use his memory to make childcare settings safer places for children at such an important and vulnerable stage in their life, specifically around the preparation of food.

‘We look forward to the response from the Department for Education and would welcome any meetings to look at better education and awareness for those who work with the youngest of children.’