| Department of Education (DoE) |
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) |
These guidelines apply to the Head Lice Policy of March, 2001.
1.0 Background
Nurses working in Tasmanian schools were formerly involved in mass screenings for head lice. When an outbreak of head lice occurred they took responsibility for issuing the lotion. The system was not successful in preventing or controlling outbreaks. The nurses’ role became one of education and support.
In 1996 the responsibility for distributing the preparations for the treatment of head lice was devolved to schools. As an interim arrangement the supply of lotion was administered centrally by the Facility Services Section of the Department of Education. In 1997 the budget for head lice lotion was included in the component of the General Support Grant pool, allocated on the basis of the Educational Needs Index, and distributed through the School Resource Package.
A working party was charged with the responsibility of reviewing current procedures and making recommendations for the future handling of head lice infestations. The working party includes representatives from the following areas:
- Department of Education,
- Australian Education Union,
- Tasmanian Primary Principals’ Association,
- Public and Environmental Health (Department of Health and Human Services),
- Family, Child and Youth Health Service (DHHS),
- Southern Tasmanian Division of General Practitioners,
- Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Tasmanian Branch),
- Tasmanian Council of State Schools Parents and Friends Association and
- State Federation of Parents and Friends (Catholic Schools).
The changes recommended by the working party were incorporated in the policy of July 20, 1999. Since the development of the policy of 1999, the working party has looked for ways to improve the current level of support to schools in recognition of the following issues:
Head lice are prevalent in the wider community but the focus of concern, and therefore treatment, is on school children (possibly because adults may be asymptomatic);
- the dubious efficacy of the chemical lotions used to treat head lice and the resulting need to ensure the removal of all eggs;
- the need to balance any request for parents to remove all eggs with clear messages that support the benefits of school attendance;
- there is no ‘quick fix’ to the head lice situation.
The resulting recommended policy modification attempts to strengthen the prevention message and the need for parents/carers to remove all eggs wherever possible (regardless of the treatment used). The recommended change to the policy does not change the clinical practice of Family and Child Health Nurses or the responsibility of personnel in schools.
The policy revision is complemented by additional resource material for schools. The first is a selection of questions and answers for use as school newsletter ‘tips’ (see DoE Guidelines). The second is a new FCYHS flyer which is a reproduction of a Scottsdale Primary School production.
The Secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education have approved the policy.
Head lice are small wingless parasites that live mainly on the scalp. They start as eggs (nits) about the size of a grain of salt. The eggs hatch in 1 – 2 weeks.
Head lice have a life cycle of around one month during which they lay approximately one hundred eggs at a rate of six per day. The head lice feed by puncturing the skin and sucking the blood. The saliva that is injected into the skin by the lice causes skin rashes and itching, particularly for children (adults may become resistant and not experience symptoms).
Head lice like clean or dirty hair. They do not carry disease. They are unable to jump, hop or fly.
A child’s infestation does not reflect poor hygiene or lack of household cleanliness.
Head lice are spread by direct head to head contact or when brushes and hats are shared.
The head lice issue is unpleasant and sometimes embarrassing. However, there is no significant health risk.
The manual removal of eggs (nits) is acknowledged as time consuming and difficult. However, it is important as there is currently some debate, nationally, concerning the efficacy of the pharmaceutical preparations.
Combing away from the scalp is not the most effective means of removing the eggs. Combing down the hair shaft towards the scalp or using a finger nail is more likely to be effective in breaking the egg away from the hair.
Live eggs will be located close to the scalp and hatched or dead eggs will be further down the hair strand.
The Family, Child and Youth Health Service (DHHS) supplies a flier on the prevention, detection and treatment of head lice. Family and Child Health Nurses are also a source for resource materials, including some successful anti-head lice campaigns. Contact details for the Family, Child and Youth Health Service appear under point 4.
Information on head lice is also available on the Department of Health and Human Services web site.
3.0 Clarification of Responsibilities under the Policy
Parents / carers have prime responsibility to check their children for head lice on a weekly basis. Daily checking is advisable when there is an infestation within the school community. Parents also have responsibility for the purchase and application of treatment.
Parents must notify the Principal when lice or nits have been detected so that other parents can be notified and be vigilant in preventing the spread of the infestation.
Students with head lice remain at home until after an initial application of head lice treatment and preferably all eggs (nits) are removed.
The school will disseminate accurate prevention, detection and treatment messages through the school newsletter, such as:
- periodic reminders to check hair weekly as a preventative measure
- information supplied by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Family, Child and Youth Health Service.
The Principal will send relevant information to the parent who has notified that lice or nits were detected and to the parents of children who are likely to be contacts. The information should include information provided by DHHS and should advise parents of the availability of Family and Child Health nurses as a resource.
Principals are no longer responsible for storage or distribution of head lice treatments, nor do Principals and teachers need to be involved in checking children’s hair. Schools are responsible for the duplication and distribution of material provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.
If teachers, by chance, see head lice or nits in a child’s hair or suspect that a child may have head lice the child should be removed from direct contact with others (not necessarily in another room as it is the close proximity that poses the risk). The Principal should be notified so that the parent can be requested to check the child’s hair and treat for head lice as soon as possible.
Family and Child Health Nurses are available to provide education and individual support in relation to detection and treatment. They may be used as resource persons in difficult cases and in cases of reinfestation.
Family and Child Health Nurses are able to conduct information programs in schools for teachers and parents. They should particularly be considered as resources in situations where students are repeatedly removed from school due to head lice or are absent from school for extended periods because of head lice.
School communities may devise a strategy for checking the heads of children during an outbreak of head lice within the community. We have had legal advice that written parental consent must be sought prior to any head check and can be done on enrolment or as a one-off consent as the need arises (a sample can be found under point 5).
Requests for provision of education programs and fliers for school communities should be directed to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Family and Child Health Nurses may be contacted through the local contact for school referrals or these centres:
- Devonport 23 Steele Street 6421 7800
- Burnie 11 Jones Street 6434 6451
- Launceston 13 Mulgrave Street 6336 2130
- Hobart Inga, St. John's Park, New Town 6230 7899
5.1 Letter to parents/carers seeking consent to check children’s heads
Please complete this form and return it to your child’s school
Name of school ................................................................................................................
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends everyone has their hair checked weekly for head lice.
Checking and treating children’s hair is a parent’s / caregiver’s responsibility.
Sometimes school communities arrange head checks if there is a community outbreak of head lice.
This form is to seek consent for your child’s head to be inspected if the need arises.
I understand and accept that any children found to be infested will be withdrawn from close contact with other children until collected from school for treatment by parents/caregivers. I understand that I will need to collect my child promptly if head lice are evident as a result of this check.
Please tick one box
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I give permission for a designated person to check my child’s hair for head lice and eggs. I understand any such check will be conducted sensitively. |
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I do not give my permission for the school to arrange to check my child’s hair for head lice. I will do this. I understand that my child can be excluded from school if staff believe he or she may have head lice. I understand it is my responsibility to collect my child from school when notified. |
Child’s name: .............................................................
Child’s class: ................................................................
Parent/guardian’s name: .........................................
Signature: ............................................................. Date: .. / .. / ..
Dear
Thank you for advising me of the detection of head lice in your child’s hair. I have enclosed material prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the treatment of head lice.
Further information and advice may be had from the Family and Child Health nurse who may be reached at … ( local contact details)
Your child may return to school after use of a recommended treatment and an attempt to remove all of the eggs (nits).
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Yours sincerely
Dear
It is possible that head lice or nits are present in your child’s hair. Would you please check your child’s hair as soon as possible and, if head lice or nits are detected, commence a recommended treatment.
After use of a recommended treatment and an attempt to remove all of the eggs (nits) your child may return to school.
Treat only if there is evidence of head lice.
If you find no head lice would you please prevent the spread of the infestation by keeping your child’s hair short or worn close to the head; and discouraging your child from sharing headwear, brushes and combs.
I have enclosed information prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to current recommended treatment of head lice. Further information and advice may be had from the Family and Child Health nurse who may be reached at … (local contact details)
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours sincerely
OR
Dear
Head lice have been found amongst children in the school. Please check your child’s hair today!
If you do find head lice in your child’s hair please notify the school to obtain information on the current recommended treatment.
Under Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services policy, your child is required to remain away from school until after use of a recommended treatment and an attempt to remove all of the eggs (nits).
Treat only if there is evidence of head lice.
Further information can be obtained from the school office or by telephoning a Family and Child Health Nurse on ……….
Yours sincerely
Medical and health care
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