Anaphylaxis Management 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 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 - 355Kb)
- 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
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
Ministerial Order 90 - Anaphylaxis Management in Schools requires schools to provide regular training and updates for school staff in recognising and responding appropriately to an anaphylactic reaction, including competently administering an EpiPen®.
St John Ambulance Victoria has been selected to assist the Department to provide anaphylaxis management training to eligible Victorian Government Schools.
St John Ambulance Victoria will provide a three hour training program accredited by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority for staff in schools that have a student enrolled who has been diagnosed as being at risk of an anaphylactic reaction. This course will be valid for three years provided that the school meets the requirements of section 8(d) of Ministerial Order 90 to provide a briefing on anaphylaxis management twice per year to all staff including those who have received training.
St John Ambulance Victoria will train up to 100 staff per session. This will require scheduling staff into sessions located within reasonable distance of a training location and may not be at the staff member’s school. Schools that have not received training in the past 12 months, who have significant numbers of new staff who have not been trained in anaphylaxis management, or students diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis will be given priority for training.
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 with a student diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis should contact St John Ambulance Victoria on 03 8588 8391 to organise training for staff in anaphylaxis management.
DEECD Term Three Anaphylaxis Training Schedule - 13 July to 18 September, 2009
- During Term Three, St John Ambulance will be training in metropolitan Melbourne every week. Schools requiring anaphylaxis training during this period please contact St John Ambulance on (03) 8588 8391 with your preferred dates and they will advise availability.
- For schools located in the country regions below please contact St John Ambulance to register your interest in anaphylaxis classes during these time frames. These dates can be subject to change based on feedback from schools in the areas.
- It is recommended that schools contact St John Ambulance at least three weeks prior to their preferred date as schedules and classes fill rapidly.
|
Dates |
Region |
Location |
| 3-7 August 2009 | Loddon Mallee | Bendigo and surrounds |
|
3-7 August 2009 |
Barwon South West |
Hamilton, Portland and surrounds |
|
10-14 August 2009 |
Grampians |
Edenhope, Kingston and surrounds |
|
17-21 August 2009 |
Hume |
Wangaratta, Heathcote and surrounds |
|
24-28 August 2009 |
Gippsland |
Lakes Entrance and surrounds |
|
30 August - 4 September 2009 |
Gippsland |
Leongatha, Morwell and surrounds |
|
7-11 September 2009 |
Loddon Mallee |
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds |
|
7-11 September 2009 |
Hume |
Wodonga, Bright and surrounds |
|
14-18 September 2009 |
Barwon South West |
Colac, Warrnambool and surrounds |
Resources
For more information about anaphylaxis:
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
- ASCIA Guidelines for prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools, preschools and childcare centres
- Anaphylaxis Australia - Living with Anaphylaxis
- 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.
If you require further information regarding the DEECD guidelines for Victorian Government Schools, please contact your Regional Office