Carlton North Primary School

Anaphylaxis Management Policy

Rationale: Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention. Reducing the risk of exposure to an allergen is the most effective way to avoid anaphylaxis Allergies in general are on the increase worldwide and food allergies have become more common. The student population at CNPS reflects these trends. Nut allergy is one of the most common allergies in school age children and can be life threatening. Aims: To provide, so far as is practicable, a safe environment for children with severe allergies and anaphylaxis To educate staff, students and parents on the seriousness of anaphylaxis To provide procedures to enable staff to: o identify children with known allergies, including severe allergies o understand their symptoms and triggers o implement prevention strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens as per the Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Victorian Government Schools o implement a management plan in the event of a severe allergic reaction o administer appropriate medications To remove, so far as is practicable, the presence of nuts, a severe allergen, from the school environment Implementation Removal of Nuts from the School Environment Nuts are known as a severe allergen. Children with allergies can suffer a reaction through being in close proximity to nuts (eg smell or skin contact) without the need to ingest. So as to minimise risk, as far as practicable, to the school community, Carlton North Primary will no longer permit nuts to be brought on to school grounds, or on school excursions or camps. This policy extends to all children in all classes even where there are no children with nut allergies directly in that class. The following will not be allowed: o Nuts, including peanuts, almonds, cashews, pine nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans or any other type of nut o Spreads such as Peanut Butter, other nut butters, pestos and peanut oil. o Dried fruit is permitted but not dried fruit and nut boxes or Muesli bars containing nuts o Biscuits or other cakes containing nuts, including flourless cakes with almond meal. o Nutella and other choc/nut spreads Products labelled may contain nuts are permitted, however children with nut allergy should not eat them.

Updated 26-10-12

Should a child bring foods containing nuts, the student will, under the supervision of the Principal or nominated staff member, eat lunch in a designated area within the school, dispose of rubbish appropriately and wash their hands thoroughly. The Principal or nominated staff member will contact the family to remind them of the schools no nut policy. Lunch orders will not contain nuts. Sharing of foods between all children is actively discouraged. The teacher and parent of a child with anaphylaxis will communicate whenever the class is planning to cook or have special food days In the event of birthday treats, the teacher will discuss alternative arrangements for the student with anaphylaxis, for example their own treat jar.

It is important to note that nuts are not the ONLY potential cause of a life threatening reaction. It is the parents responsibility to discuss any allergy specific to their child with their childs teacher. The teacher has the responsibility to ensure this is documented in the school first aid register.

Anaphylaxis Management Plans The Principal will ensure that an individual management plan is developed, in consultation with the students parents, 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 the student enrols, and where possible before their first day of school. The individual anaphylaxis management plan will set out the following: Information about the diagnosis, including the type of allergy or allergies the student has based on a diagnosis from a medical practitioner). 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. The name of the person/s responsible for implementing the strategies. Information on where the students medication will be stored. The students emergency contact details. An emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan), 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 child on the date the practitioner signs the emergency procedures plan; and - includes an up to date photograph of the student. Note: The red and blue ASCIA Action Plan is the most common form of emergency procedures plan that is provided by medical practitioners to parents when a child is diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis. An example can be found on page 20 of the Anaphylaxis Guidelines or downloaded from http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/support/ anaphyl.htm The students individual management plan will be reviewed, in consultation with the students parents/ carers: annually, and as applicable, when the school is notified in writing that the students condition has changed, or immediately after a student has an anaphylactic reaction at school. It is the responsibility of the parent to: provide the emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan). Updated 26-10-12

inform the school if their childs medical condition changes, and if relevant provide an updated emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan). provide an up to date photo for the emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan) when the plan is provided to the school and when it is reviewed. Children with Anaphylaxis will be identified and their ASCIA Action Plans made available to all staff including OSHC staff. As awareness of students with anaphylaxis is vital, information regarding students individual responses and treatment, including a photo, will be published on a colour coded backing (to indicate currency for that year) and be displayed: o In the relevant childs classroom o In the sick bay o In the staff room o In the OHSC room (where the child is a registered user of the service) o In the yard duty bag. Parents of children with anaphylaxis will sign a document agreeing with the display of their childs photo / allergy and ASCIA Action Plan in each of the above locations. Parents who have any concerns regarding their childs privacy should discuss it with the school when developing the Management Plan.

Medication Parents/Guardians will be responsible for ensuring that their children have an adequate supply of appropriate medication available at school. Parents of children with anaphylaxis will ensure that medication held at the school will be replaced before the expiry date. The Office Manager will also check EpiPens to ensure they are not out of date and will notify parents one month prior. The school will purchase one generic EpiPen and thermal bag pack for use on yard duty. This will enable administration of an EpiPen as quickly as possible, and will mean that a second EpiPen is available in the event of an ambulance delay. The Office Manager will be responsible for checking the expiry date of the schools generic EpiPen. Medication for each child will accompany them on excursions and camps. All camp parent helpers will be made aware of the children with anaphylaxis. Staff Training and Emergency Response Teachers and other school 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 school, 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 school staff to be trained based on a risk assessment. Training will be provided to these staff as soon as practicable after the student enrols. Staff Training Register to be maintained and kept up to date Wherever possible, training will take place before the students first day at school. Where this is not possible, an interim plan will be developed in consultation with the parents. The schools first aid procedures and students emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan) will be followed in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

Updated 26-10-12

Communication 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 schools anaphylaxis management policy. The communication plan will include information about what steps will be taken to respond to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in a classroom, in the school yard, on school excursions, on school camps and special event days. Volunteers and casual relief staff of students at risk of anaphylaxis will be informed of students at risk of anaphylaxis and their role in responding to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in their care by (insert staff members name) ASCIA Action Plans to be displayed in First Aid Room, classrooms and class rolls All staff will be briefed once each semester by a staff member who has up to date anaphylaxis management training on: the schools anaphylaxis management policy the causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis the identities of students diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis and where their medication is located how to use an autoadrenaline injecting device the schools first aid and emergency response procedures . Staff briefing policy review to be minuted at staff meeting. Teachers will discuss anaphylaxis in class, and trial procedures for responding to an anaphylactic reaction. Discussion will include what type of foods may include an allergen, the importance of good hygiene (hand washing), no sharing of food and no tolerance for teasing. Children who do not suffer from allergies should be educated to understand medical issues affecting others and to act in a responsible manner. The school community will be informed about allergens via reminders in the newsletter twice each term. Advice will refer to Anaphylaxis Policy on the school website using link.

This policy will be available on the school website and a copy will be available for viewing at the office. This policy is a risk mitigation plan and does not offer a guarantee that the school is nut free. Children with allergies need to be educated to always maintain vigilance about their environment.

Evaluation: Minor review in 12 months: Education Committee in consultation with the Principal and Ass. Principal to decide whether there have been any issues or developments that would require change in the policy. If not, recommend to Council that the policy continue as is. Major review undertaken in 2015: Education Committee to seek feedback on the policy from parents and staff via the newsletter. Changes to be considered and recommended to Council. Ref: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/health/anaphylaxisschools.htm This policy was last ratified by School Council in November 2012

Updated 26-10-12