St. Joseph’s School LOCKHART
Anaphylaxis Policy and Procedures

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. St Joseph’s School will make every reasonable effort to reduce the risk to children and adults with severe allergies or anaphylaxis in accordance with this policy.

Aim

St Joseph’s School is committed to:

  • Providing a safe learning environment for all members of the school community.
  • Minimising the risk of an anaphylactic reaction occurring at the school.
  • Ensuring members of staff are adequately trained to respond appropriately and competently to an anaphylactic reaction.
  • Raising awareness about anaphylaxis throughout the school community through education and implementation.
  • Engaging with parents/carers of children at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks and developing risk minimisation strategies for their child.

Procedures

  • The school is to be notified as early as possible about a student’s medically diagnosed anaphylaxis.
  • The school is to be provided with a current Action Plan for Anaphylaxis from a treating medical practitioner. This should include details of the potential severity of the reaction and the details of the prescribed medications.
  • Whenever a child with severe allergies is enrolled at the school, or newly diagnosed as having a severe allergy, all staff will be informed of:
  • The child’s name and class
  • Where the child’s Action Plan will be located
  • Where the child’s adrenaline auto-injector is located
  • New and relief/casual staff will be given information about children’s medically diagnosed anaphylaxis during their orientation process.
  • All staff complete regular training in Anaphylaxis First Aid, including identification of allergic reactions, the use of the Epipen and the emergency procedures to follow.
  • Parents will encourage their children to become independent, to be aware of the policy of not sharing food and the importance of caring for their medication.
  • Students are expected to bring their own Epi-pen to school and the school will ensure that this is stored in a place that is decided on after discussion with staff and parents.
  • The school community is made aware through newsletters and notices that there are children in the school who suffer from anaphylactic reactions and that they should not send in any type of food that may trigger allergic reactions.
  • Regular reviews of the child’s management plan will take place to ensure the child’s safety needs are catered for to the best of the school’s ability

Risk Minimisation Strategies

  1. All school parents/carers will be advised of specific food allergies and how they can assist the school to minimise the risk of student exposure to known allergens.
  2. All parents are requested not to send food to school that contains nuts (especially peanuts).
  3. Particular care will be taken when planning cooking or craft activities involving food, as well as catering for any special occasions involving food, including excursions.
  4. Awards of food will not be given that contain foods that may trigger an allergic reaction.
  5. Education for students on food allergies and allergic reactions is incorporated into the school curriculum.
  6. Staff will talk about strategies to avoid exposure to unsafe foods, such as not eating food that is shared and the importance of washing hands after eating.

This school acknowledges that due to food processing practices, it is impractical to eliminate nuts or nut products entirely from an environment where there is food.

This policy waswritten in September 2017