Student Health
Anaphylaxis in Schools
Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction when a person is exposed to an allergen. The most common allergens in school-aged children are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow's milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, certain insect stings and medications.
The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge, awareness and planning.
The Children’s Services and Education Legislation Amendment (Anaphylaxis Management) Act 2008 (http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/) received Royal Assent on 4 March 2008 and will come into effect 14 July 2008 (the beginning of term 3, 2008).
Any school that has a student or students at risk of anaphylaxis must by law have the following in place by 14 July 2008:
- An Anaphylaxis Management Plan for each student, developed in consultation with the student’s parents/carers and medical practitioner.
- Prevention strategies for in-school and out-of-school settings.
- A communication plan to raise staff, student and school community awareness about severe allergies and the school’s policies.
- Regular training and updates for school staff in recognising and responding appropriately to an anaphylactic reaction, including competently administering an EpiPen®.
Ministerial Order 90 Anaphylaxis- Anaphylaxis Management in Schools clearly out the matters that schools need to ensure are included in their anaphylaxis management policies.
Schools are required to use Ministerial Order 90 Anaphylaxis- Anaphylaxis Management in Schools and the Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Victorian Government Schools to assess and review their current management policies and practices.
Ministerial Order 90 - Anaphylaxis Managment in Schools
For information regarding the legislative requirement of Ministerial Order 90, supporting information and resources, see:
Letter to Principal (PDF - 88Kb)
Ministerial Order 90 - Managing Anaphylaxis (PDF - 217Kb)
Ministerial Order 90 - Anaphylaxis Management in Schools Questions and Answers (PDF - 175Kb)
Anaphylaxis Risk Management Checklist (PDF - 762Kb)
Sample Anaphylaxis Management Policy (PDF - 170Kb)
Information for Parents (PDF - 91Kb)
Victorian Guidelines for Managing Anaphylaxis in Government Schools
For information on Victorian Guidelines for managing anaphylaxis in government schools, see:
- Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Victorian Government Schools (PDF - 1.3Mb)
- Sample Anaphylaxis Management Plan (Word - 230Kb)
- ASCIA Action Plan (http://www.allergy.org.au/content/view/10/3/)
School received hard copies of the guidelines and additional resources, including posters, brochures and an EpiPen® trainer during term 1, 2007.
Anaphylaxis Training Requirements for Government Schools
Teachers and other school staff who are responsible for the care of students at risk of anaphylaxis should receive training in how to recognise and respond to an anaphylactic reaction, including administering an EpiPen®.
The Department is currently offering first aid training in anaphylaxis management to Victorian government schools. This training is being offered through Ambulance Victoria First Aid for groups of 20 at a time.
This training is offered to schools that have a student or students with anaphylaxis enrolled at the school.
Schools must provide a doctor's certificate (from a GP or immunologist) stating that the student or students have been diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis.
Schools wishing to organise staff training or to obtain further information should contact the Ambulance Victoria Customer Service Centre (Rhona or Phoebe) on 1800 248 859.
Royal Children’s Hospital Information Sessions are Now Available
Royal Children’s Hospital information sessions for school communities on anaphylaxis are now up and running. There will be 50 session held across Victoria during 2008. The sessions are available for school staff, parents, families, and other members of the community. Attendance is free.
All details can be found at Royal Children’s Hospital (http://www.rch.org.au/allergy/caes.cfm?doc_id=7229#1).
Anaphylaxis in Childrens Services
On 14 July 2008 the Children’s Services and Education Legislation Amendment (Anaphylaxis Management) Act 2008 was enacted. It amended the Children’s Services Act 1996, and mandates minimum safety standards for children’s services and schools to protect children and young people diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis.
To learn more see: Anaphylaxis management in children’s services
Resources
For more information about anaphylaxis:
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) (http://www.allergy.org.au/)
- ASCIA Guidelines for prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools, preschools and childcare centres (http://www.allergy.org.au/pospapers/anaphylaxis.htm)
- Anaphylaxis Australia - Living with Anaphylaxis (http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/livingwith.html)
Principal Support Advisory Line on 1300 725 911. This service is offered to Principals from Government Funded schools.The service is available between the hours of 8.30 am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
For further information please contact your Regional Office or the Student Wellbeing Branch, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on 9637 2017.