Margate Primary School Website



ALLERGY AWARENESS POLICYAllergy Awareness PolicyAt Margate Primary School we aim to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all. Margate Primary is an allergy aware school – to protect students with allergies and educate all students on the dangers of allergies and their associated risks.Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachio, etc.), Dairy (cow’s milk), fish and shellfish, wheat, soy sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been diagnosed at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), and prevention of exposure to those triggers. Partnership between school and parents is important in ensuring that certain foods or items are kept away from the student while at school.Adrenaline administered through an Epipen or its equivalent to the muscle of the outer thigh is the most effective first aid treatment of anaphylaxis.GENERALEpipens will be located in the office in the unlocked cupboard in plastic pockets labelled with the student’s name and instructions for use and their ASCIA plan.The designated first aid officer regularly checks the expiry dates of the auto adrenaline injecting devices and will notify parents if they are about to expire.The duty bags contain a photo and information about students at risk of anaphylaxis.The duty folders, staff notice board, medical area in the office and relief folders contain individual cards with the students’ photos and names.On school camps, excursions and sporting events, the auto adrenaline injecting device will remain close to the student. Consideration will be given in planning ahead for food and meals for students at risk of anaphylaxis.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTIn the event of an anaphylaxis episode:-During recess and lunch times duty teachers will:Identify the student and verify they have an individual anaphylactic management plan.Contact the office immediatelyStudent to sit or lie and stay in place until assistance arrives teacher stays with the childOffice to send the Epipen and administer treatment with First Aid. Office to Ring 000, by a mobile phone if necessary, for emergency medical assistance or ring 000 if out of school.Clearly explain that this child is suffering a suspected anaphylactic reaction.Notify relevant staff to provide support as soon as practicable.Parents contacted through the office.During instruction time teachers will: (in classrooms or specialists)Identify the student and verify they have an individual anaphylactic management plan.See classroom roll or display if in specialist room including the kitchen.Contact the office immediately and if feasible take the child to the sick bay and locate the management plan. If not feasible then get assistance from classroom teacher next door as help is sought from the office. With assistance move child to the office if possible, and then undertake emergency response management.If the child cannot be moved from the classroom, send for the Epipen and administer treatment. Ring 000, by a mobile phone if necessary, seeking emergency medical assistance. Clearly explain that this child is suffering a suspected anaphylactic reaction and provide any information about the possible allergen.Notify relevant staff to provide support as soon as practicable.Parents contacted through the office.After the incident reassure students in the classPARENT RESPONSIBILITESStudents with anaphylactic reactions require the following on enrolment (before the child starts school) or as soon as the condition is diagnosed: An Anaphylaxis Action Plan and Management Plan will include:A photo of the childA description of the allergiesThe action to take if a reaction occursThe name and contact details of the doctor who completed the plan.Each student’s individual management plan will be reviewed, in consultation with parents/carersEach plan is updated annually and as applicable and reviewed immediately after a student has an anaphylactic reaction at schoolParents are responsible for alerting the school if the students condition changes including the student is no longer anaphylactic for a certain food groupParents are responsible for assisting the school in preparing or supporting the preparation a letter that gives more detailed information about the child’s reaction to food groups including whether their anaphylaxis reaction is caused by airborne particles rather than through eating food directly.STAFF RESPONSIBILITIESThe Leadership Team will:Ensure that these details are available in the classroom, relief teacher folder, first aid room and staff roomSupport the class teacher/s and other staff in implementing the Anaphylaxis Action Plan and Management PlanPrepare and support the preparation of a letter see sample letter. This letter is sent each term.Reinforce appropriate avoidance and management strategies at assemblies and through the newsletter.Ensure that the SAKGP complies with the “Allergy Awareness Policy” *See noteProvide additional information to classes with children at risk of anaphylaxis (if requested by their parent/guardian and/or doctor)Organise training to ensure that staff are confident in the use of an Epipen and aware of the associated triggers and prevention strategies.Review SAKG menu plans for each term and SAKG coordinator to check canteen orders and allergy informationSchool Staff will: Support allergy awareness in their classrooms using the School Strategies:-Students instructed and reminded to not share food and drink Be vigilant when supervising the eating of recess and lunch foodsSchool staff supporting students using good hygiene including washing hands before eating and after eating School staff supporting surfaces being wiped after eating and cleaned at the end of the dayStaff being aware of the signs of an allergic reaction and are trained to respond to allergic reactionsStaff follow the expectations in the School Allergy PolicyIf there is a nut allergy in their child’s class and nuts are brought in, school staff will remove the item and ask the parent not to send nutsCLASSES WITH A CHILD AT RISK OF ANAPHYLAXISStaff will educate students about the hazards and risks associated for specific students in their class with allergies, including allergic reactions to items used in play or learning ie. playdough, cookingReinforce that students do not share their food or drinkEncourage students to wash their hands before and after eatingProvide additional information to classes with children at risk of anaphylaxis (if requested by their parent/guardian and/or doctor)Further additional parent information for classes with younger children (P–3) may be provided and sent by letter. This may include a letter of request for parents of that classroom not to pack nuts (airborne allergens are more likely in nuts than other food groups). This letter will be sent home and further information if requested by the anaphylactic child/children’s parents/guardians or the child/children’s doctor will be added and will be written in consultation with them.PROMOTING THE ALLERGY AWARENESS POLICYThe Policy will be promoted through:Parents and caregivers will have access to the Policy on the Website and be informed regularly via the newsletter and through class lettersThe School Association will be informed and input, approval and support sought as well as reviewing the policy as neededStaff will be informed and provided with training opportunities when requiredStudents will be informed via teachers and assembliesThis Policy outlines the steps that Margate Primary School Community will take to ensure risk minimisation and allergy education.*SAKG – There is a disclaimer on the back of the slips detailing possible contaminants and food allergen?contact during cooking food in the Garden Café.Mostly, where possible, alternative meals?to students with allergies are available but the requirements of parents with children with allergies must be clearly stated on the lunch order form as is instructed.Policy reviewed February 2020Sample letter proformaDear Families,The only way to manage a food allergy is avoidance, however elimination of certain foods in a school environment is impossible. The school has initiated several strategies to lessen the risk – it is never totally possible to eliminate the risk of an anaphylaxis. This year in X Class we have children attending who are at risk of having anaphylaxis. Triggers for these students include: (eggs, dairy, wheat, all nuts, seeds and fish.- example allergens written in bold)Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. A severe allergic reaction to any of the foods listed above could rapidly become life threatening for these children. Peanuts are the leading cause of severe allergic reaction, followed by tree nuts, shellfish, fish and milk. Some children are extremely sensitive to even airborne allergens however this is extremely rare. Nuts are the most likely airborne allergen. The School Strategies that are in place which help eliminate the risk include:-Students instructed and reminded to not share food and drink School Staff being vigilant when supervising the eating of recess and lunch foodsSchool staff supporting students using good hygiene including washing hands after eating and before eatingSchool staff supporting surfaces being wiped after eating and cleaned at the end of the dayStaff being aware of the signs of an allergic reaction and are trained to respond to allergic reactionsStaff follow the expectations in the School Allergy PolicyIf there is a nut allergy in their child’s class and nuts (ie. Peanuts, walnuts) are brought in, school staff will remove the item and ask the parent not to send nuts The Strategies for parents and carers which help eliminate the risk include:-Children are instructed and reminded to not share food and drinkParents will need to send up to date information about their child’s allergiesParents will need to talk to the teacher if they are bringing in a shared food item ie. birthday food, before the event Parents should avoid sending messy food, such as egg sandwiches and grated cheese in sandwichesParents identify on canteen orders that their child has allergies.Parents do not send nuts in any form In support of our schools Allergy Policy, we request that you avoid nuts being brought to school in your child’s lunch box, as nuts can be a potential airborne allergen. For more information go to .au and .au. ................
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