Foster families: first-aid and CPR standards
First Aid & CPR Portugal
Being a foster family in Portugal means giving a safe home to a child or young person who cannot live with their family. The preparation provided by Social Security addresses the child's care and safety, and knowing how to act in an emergency with first aid is part of responsible caregiving.
The first-aid requirement
Foster care is governed by the Law on the Protection of Children and Young People at Risk (Law 147/99) and by Decree-Law 139/2019, coordinated by the Social Security Institute (ISS). There is no rule explicitly requiring a first-aid certificate of foster families, but attending the mandatory initial and continuing training is compulsory and covers the child's health, physical and safety care.
Suitability is assessed and recognised by the technical team of the ISS or the supervising institution. Current first-aid and resuscitation training is in addition to that assessment and to parenting skills, and it is advisable to keep it up to date.
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.
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 regionReferences
- Instituto da Segurança Social — Acolhimento Familiar
- Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2019 — Regime de execução do acolhimento familiar
- ILCOR — International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation
Content is being updated.