1. At enrolment and when updating student information each year, schools will seek specific information about allergies as part of the health information provided by parents/carers. Specific questions are included in the Student Enrolment Application Form and the annual information update for existing students.

Allergy Anaphylaxis Information Form [Word 199KB]

When completing these forms, all parents/carers are asked:

Part A

• Does this student have an allergy?
• and if so, to list allergens
  

Part B

Parents/carers are asked the following questions:

• Has it involved hospitalisation?
• Is it life threatening?
• Has it been called anaphylaxis?
• Has the student been prescribed an EpiPen?

2. If the parent/carer responds ?yes? to any of the questions in Part B, the school should provide them with a copy of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Inc. (ASCIA) Action Plans for Anaphylaxis to be completed and signed by an appropriate medical practitioner and returned to the school as soon as possible. The medical practitioner will confirm with the family the seriousness of the allergy and determine whether completion of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis is required.

The ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis sets out the emergency procedures to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction. It contains the following:

• Clear identification of the child (photo)
• Documentation of the allergic triggers
• Documentation of the first aid response including any prescribed medication
• Identification and contact details of the doctor who has signed the action plan

3. On receipt of the completed ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis, the school should immediately organise a meeting/professional learning session on anaphylaxis. This meeting should involve parents/carers and relevant school staff, for the purpose of developing the student's Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan and should include a training component delivered by a Registered Training Organisation dealing with anaphylaxis emergency management and EpiPen administration.

The Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan describes proactive and preventative practices and should contain information as to:

• The type of allergy or allergies
• The student?s emergency contact details
• Practical strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens in school and out of school settings such as camps and excursions
• The name of the person/s responsible for implementing the strategies
• Information about where the EpiPen will be stored

4. A copy of the student's Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and the Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan should be kept in various locations around the school. They should be easily visible and/or accessible by staff in the event of an incident.

5. The student?s Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and the Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan should be reviewed with the student?s parents/carers at least annually or as required.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As diagnosis may occur at any time schools should follow the process outlined above as soon as notified of the diagnosis by parents. Promotion of allergy awareness by, for example, regular inclusion of information in school newsletters, will support families in sharing such information with the school.

Anaphylaxis Guidelines

• Introduction
• Recognition of Anaphylaxis
• Management of Anaphylaxis - Anaphylaxis management for individual students and Requirements for schools having an enrolled student with anaphylaxis 
• Prevention of Anaphylaxis
• Resources

Downloadable forms

• Student Allergy Anaphylaxis information Form [Word 199KB]
• Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan [Word 47KB]
• (ASCIA) Action Plans for Anaphylaxis