Background:

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. It can occur when a susceptible person is exposed to an allergen. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow's milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication. Reactions usually begin within minutes of exposure and can progress rapidly over a period of two hours or more. It always requires an emergency response. Adrenaline given via an EpiPen® autoinjector to the muscle of the outer mid thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.

To enable Donvale Christian College (DCC) to be able to minimise the possibility of anaphylaxis occurring at school, it is important that all staff are aware of students at risk, have an awareness of triggers (allergens), and implement strategies to prevent exposure to these triggers. Partnerships between the College and parents/carers are vital in ensuring that certain foods or items are kept away from the student while at school.

PURPOSE

To provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of their schooling.

To involve parents/carers of students at risk of anaphylaxis and staff in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies for the student.

To ensure that each staff member has adequate knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the College's policy and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

To raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the College's anaphylaxis management policy in the College community.

INDIVIDUAL ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND ACTION PLANS

The principal will ensure that an individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan is developed, in consultation with the student's parents/carers, for any student who has been diagnosed by a medical practitioner as being at risk of anaphylaxis.

The individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be in place as soon as practicable after a student enrols and where possible before their first day of school. If a student is already attending the College prior to their diagnosis, the plan will be in place as soon as is possible.

The individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will include the following:

• i. Information about the diagnosis, including the type of allergy or allergies the student has (based on the diagnosis from a medical practitioner).

• ii. Strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens while the student is under the care or supervision of school staff, for in-school and out of school settings including camps and excursions.

• iii. The name of the person/s responsible for implementing the strategies.

• iv. Information on where the student's medications will be stored.

• v. The student's emergency contact details.

• vi. An emergency procedure plan (ASCIA Action Plan is the preferred form), provided by the parent, that:

•  sets out the emergency procedures to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction;

•  is signed by a medical practitioner who was treating the student on the date the practitioner signs the emergency procedures plan; and

•  includes an up to date photograph of the student.

The student's individual management plan will be reviewed, in consultation with the student's parents/carers:

•  annually;

•  if the student's condition changes; and

•  immediately after a student has an anaphylactic reaction at school.

It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to:

•  provide the emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan).

•  inform the school if their child's medical condition changes, and if relevant provide an updated ASCIA Action Plan; and

•  provide an up to date photo for the ASCIA Action Plan when the plan is provided to the school and when it is reviewed.

COMMUNICATION PLAN

The principal will be responsible for ensuring that a communication plan is developed to provide information to all staff, students and parents about anaphylaxis and the College's Anaphylaxis Management Policy.

The communication plan will include information concerning the emergency responses to anaphylaxis in all school settings, including the classroom, College grounds, excursions, camps and special event days (e.g. sports days).

Volunteers and casual relief teachers of students at risk of anaphylaxis will be informed of the students at risk and their role in responding to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in their care by the Head of Primary or Secondary.

The Principal is responsible for ensuring that College staff are briefed each semester (the first being as close to the commencement of the school year as practical) by the College Nurse – Health Education on:

• i. The College's Anaphylaxis Management Policy

• ii. The causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis

• iii. The identities of students and staff diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis and where their medication is located

• iv. How to use an autoadrenaline injecting device (EpiPen®)

• v. The College's first aid and emergency response procedures

STAFF TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Teachers and other College staff who conduct classes which students at risk of anaphylaxis attend, or give instruction to students at risk of anaphylaxis must have up to date training in an anaphylaxis management training course.

At other times while the student is under the care or supervision of the College, including excursions, yard duty, camps and special event days, the Principal must ensure that there is a sufficient number of staff present who have up to date training in an anaphylaxis management training course.

The Principal will identify the College staff to be trained based on an assessment of the risk of an anaphylactic reaction occurring while the student is under the care or supervision of the College. The Principal must ensure training of the staff as identified above is provided as soon as practicable after a student at risk of anaphylaxis enrols at the College.

Wherever possible, training will take place before the student's first day at school. Where this is not possible, an interim plan will be developed in consultation with the parents/guardians.

The College's anaphylaxis emergency procedures and the student's emergency procedure plan (ASCIA Action Plan) will be followed in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

STAFF WITH SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS

The College acknowledges that some staff members may be at risk of anaphylaxis, and will endeavour to provide a safe working environment for them. Staff members who may be at risk of anaphylaxis should alert their Head of Department and the College nurses to their condition and potential allergen(s). It is expected that any prescribed medications (EpiPen® and antihistamines) will be carried at all times by the staff member whilst at the College or on off-campus activities. All staff members will be informed of the potential risk. On occasions when the College provides food / meals for staff members, consideration will be given to staff who are at risk of anaphylaxis to food.

Last updated October 2008