LAVERTON P-12 COLLEGE

Head Lice Policy

Date:August 2011

1.Rationale

1.1It is acknowledged that head lice is a problem in all schools, and whilst the primary responsibility for the detection and treatment of head lice is a parental/guardian one, schools have an important role to play in the management of this problem. Laverton P-12 College seeks to support parents/guardians and their families by being pro-active in the detection and treatment of children so that it does not become a major health problem for either the affected student/s and their families, and the wider school community.

1.2 Most schools will have some students with head lice at any given time during the year, and it is important that these students and their families be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality whilst addressing the head lice infestation. The school acknowledges that the problem of head lice crosses all social and economic boundaries, and that no one in the school community is immune from infestation be they teachers, students or parents. It is therefore the intention of this school’s policy to put in place strategies to minimize the spread of head lice within the school population, and also give parents/guardians practical assistance and strategies in coping with head lice should an infestation occur.

2. Aim

2.1To respond to reports of head lice quickly and effectively.

2.2 To ensure that an effective process for treating head lice is well known and consistently followed.

2.3 To ensure that parents and guardians are well informed about head lice treatment.

3. Implementation

3.1Head lice information will be sent home to parents at the commencement of each school year, and at regular intervals throughout the year to keep parents/guardians informed of the detection, treatment and control of head lice.

3.2Parents will be asked to sign a statement attached to the official enrolment form authorizing the school to arrange for the inspection of their child’s hair by either a local government health professional or by a member of the school staff specifically nominated by the principal and trained in the detection of lice/eggs.

3.3If a student is found to have live lice and/or eggs (nits), the student will be removed from class and excluded from school until the infestation has been treated. Parents/guardians will be informed immediately by telephone if their child has live lice and they will be required to arrange the collection of their child from school. Contacts will not be excluded if free of lice/eggs. However it is prudent to treat the whole family to eliminate the spread of the infestation.

3.4In the event that permission has not been given for a physical inspection of a child’s head but a child presents with live lice which are obvious in a visual inspection, or there is the suspicion that lice are present, the child will be excluded from school until the infestation has been cleared.

3.5If a child continues to return to school with untreated hair, the child will be excluded until a certificate is provided from either a medical practitioner or a local government health professional stating that the child has been treated and is clear of lice.

3.6A child returning to school following an infestation should be completely free of lice and eggs. If lice are still present the child will be excluded until further treatment has been undertaken.

3.7Parents/guardians of a child found to have live lice and/or eggs will be given written notification of the condition.

3.8Parents/guardians will be asked not to send their children to school with untreated head lice, and to inform the school that lice /eggs have been detected so that other children who may have been in contact with the infected child can be checked.

3.9Classroom teachers will be asked to incorporate lessons about head lice into their health programs to promote an awareness, understanding and tolerance amongst students about the life-cycle of head lice and the management of the problem at home and school.

3.10A small supply of head lice combs will be made available for borrowing/purchase to assist parents to eradicate eggs/nits.

3.11Parents/guardians are asked to regularly check their child’s head for eggs/lice and treat with the appropriate head lice preparations and fine head lice combs. Regular inspections of all household members will be encouraged, together with treatment of bedding and clothes if lice are detected.

4. Evaluation and Review

4.1This policy will be reviewed and updated annually or inline with DEECD requirements.

This Policy has been ratified by School Council on 2011.

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