Creaney Primary School
(An Independent Public School)
ANAPHYLAXIS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Approved by
Trevor Mitchell, Principal CPS
Date approved
19 May 2014
Review date
16 May 2016
Kevin Goldberg, Chairman School Board
Community • Achievement • Respect • Excellence
BACKGROUND
Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that causes major respiratory problems
and is potentially life threatening. It must be regarded as a medical emergency.
The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been
diagnosed as being at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), and prevention of exposure to these
triggers. The most common allergens in school-aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (eg
cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, certain insect stings and medication.
Partnerships between schools and parents are important in ensuring particular foods or items are
kept away from the student while at school.
Adrenaline, given through auto injector (Adrenaline auto injector) to the muscle of the outer mid-thigh,
is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis. All staff members owe a Duty of Care to
students and are required to administer First Aid treatment (including administering an auto injector)
where necessary.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to:

provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of
anaphylaxis are able to participate equally in all aspects of his or her schooling

raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management plan
throughout the school community

engage with parents and carers of students at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks,
developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies for the student

ensure that each staff member has adequate knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the
school’s plan and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction
IMPLEMENTATION
The school will ensure that an individual anaphylaxis management plan is developed, in consultation
with the student’s parents, for any student who has been diagnosed by a medical practitioner as
being at risk of anaphylaxis.
The individual anaphylaxis management plan will be in place as soon as practicable after the student
enrols and, where possible, before their first day of school.
The individual anaphylaxis management plan will set out the following:

information about the diagnosis, including the type of allergy or allergies the student has
(based on a diagnosis from a medical practitioner)

strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens while the student is under the care or
supervision of school staff, for in-school and out-of-school settings including camps and
excursions
PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY
The parent or guardian of a child at risk of anaphylaxis shall:

inform staff, either on enrolment or on diagnosis, of their child’s allergies

provide the school with up-to-date and complete documents including an Action Plan for
Anaphylaxis and Regulatory Framework Medical Form before the child commences school

provide the school with an adrenaline auto injector and other necessary medications

regularly check the Adrenaline auto injector expiry date and replace when necessary

notify the staff of any changes to their child’s allergy status and provide a new Action Plan for
Anaphylaxis in accordance with these changes

comply with the plan that no child who has been prescribed an adrenaline auto injector is
permitted to attend school without an adrenaline auto injector (within expiry date)

provide their child with safe food alternatives for birthday/morning tea/party type occasions clearly labelled with the child’s name
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
The student at risk of food allergy anaphylaxis shall:

eat only safe foods provided by their parent

keep lunch boxes away from other students’ lunch boxes

use only their own water bottle (not shared water fountains)

wash their hands before and after eating

request their individual safe treat food from home when offered birthday cake, chocolate, etc
by a person at school
The student at risk of insect allergy shall:

wear shoes at all times

refrain from lying and rolling on grassed areas

report the presence of insects
SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITY
The person appointed as the school’s Student Well-being Co-ordinator will be responsible for:

providing staff with information on where the student’s medication will be stored

providing details of the student’s emergency contacts

ensuring an Action Plan for Anaphylaxis is provided by the parent, that:

o
sets out the emergency procedures to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction and
o
where applicable, is signed by a medical practitioner
o
includes an up-to date-photograph of the student
ensuring all adrenaline auto injectors for students Yrs P–7 are kept in the white medical
cupboard in the Medical Room with other necessary medications and medical documents

ensuring all adrenaline auto injectors for Kindergarten students are kept in the high
Kindergarten kitchen cupboard

ensuring each duty bag contains a photo and abbreviated information about students at
medical risk as well as red Urgent Assist Card for emergencies

staff responsible for ensuring that the medication box for each child at risk of anaphylaxis is
carried by a trained adult on excursions, in-term swimming and at sports carnivals etc

each classroom teacher will leave a Relief Teacher Folder (stored in teacher’s pigeonhole)
containing:
o
photos of students with Medical Conditions
o
‘Urgent Assist’ red card procedure
ROLE OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING CO-ORDINATOR
The nominated staff member will:

co-ordinate anaphylaxis policy and procedure within the school

be available to teachers and parents to problem-solve any issues that arise

routinely check expiry dates of adrenaline auto injectors and notify parents to renew as
required

liaise with School Health Nurse regarding staff and student training and any other concerns
as they arise

liaise with parents throughout the year to ensure all required documentation is complete and
adrenaline auto injectors are provided to the school

ensure an auto injector is available at all times for ‘general use’ as a precaution when:
1. A student is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction for the first time (ie: a child has not
been diagnosed as anaphylactic but may be showing signs of severe allergic reaction)
2. A student is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, has been administered their
prescribed adrenaline auto injector, but requires a second dose of adrenaline because
symptoms persist after five minutes
3. There is a problem with administering the student’s prescribed adrenaline auto injector
(eg: out of date, not readily available, administered incorrectly)
USE OF ADRENALINE AUTO INJECTORS
In an emergency, students experiencing anaphylactic reactions may be administered/provided a
dose from an adrenaline auto injector in the following circumstances:

when a student who has not been previously diagnosed, is experiencing an anaphylactic
reaction for the first time as they will not have a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector available

when a student with a prescribed adrenaline auto injector has received a first dose and
requires a second dose

in an emergency, when a student with a prescribed adrenaline auto injector does not have
their medication available
For students with prescribed auto injectors, administration should be in accordance with the student’s
health care plan.
DOCUMENTATION
The School will ensure that:

the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and Regulatory Framework Medical documents are current
and complete before the student commences school

the original Action Plan for Anaphylaxis shall be displayed in the Staff Room

photocopies of the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis will be placed in the medication box and
displayed in the Medical Room and Associate Principal’s office

two photocopies of the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis is given to the student’s class teacher –
one for classroom, one for the Relief Teacher Folder
COMMUNICATION PLAN

The Student Well-being Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that a communication
plan is developed to provide information to all staff, students and parents about anaphylaxis
and the school’s anaphylaxis management plan.


The communication plan will include information about what steps will be taken to respond to
an anaphylactic reaction by a student in a classroom, in the school yard, on school
excursions, on school camps and special event days.
COMMUNITY AWARENESS
The School will raise community awareness of anaphylaxis by:

placing notices in the school newsletter highlighting relevant and current information

ensuring food sold at the school canteen adheres to strict guidelines
Volunteers and casual relief staff of students at risk of anaphylaxis will be informed about students at
risk of anaphylaxis and their role in responding to an anaphylactic reaction by the school’s Student
Well-being Coordinator.
SHARED FOOD EVENTS
The classroom teacher shall:

ensure students with allergies only eat food provided by parents or, if not practical, request a
parent to be present to directly supervise their child’s food intake

request that foods sent for shared food events do not contain allergen foods such as peanuts,
eggs, tree nuts, fish etc
STAFF TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Teachers and other school staff who conduct classes in which students at risk of anaphylaxis attend,
or give instruction to students at risk of anaphylaxis must have up-to-date training in anaphylaxis
management.
At other times, while the student is under the care or supervision of the school (including excursions,
yard duty, camps and special event days) the Principal must ensure that there is a sufficient number
of staff present with up-to-date training in anaphylaxis management.
Wherever possible, training will take place before the student’s first day at school. Where this is not
possible, an interim plan will be developed in consultation with the parents.
The Principal will ensure that all staff members attend Anaphylaxis Management Training annually
(at the beginning of each school year).
REVIEW AND EVALUATION
The student’s individual management plan will be reviewed, in consultation with the student’s
parents/ carers:

if the student’s condition changes

immediately after a student has an anaphylactic reaction at school
FURTHER READING
The Anaphylaxis Management Guidelines FOR Western Australian Schools 2009 can be found at
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.health.wa.gov.au/anaphylaxis/docs/schools/11289%2520SK13%2520Guidelines.pdf&sa=U&ei=9
9V6U5ehJsTsrAf8y4D4Dw&ved=0CAgQFjAD&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNEq-ovn_W_lb6x39YkSjmtMka_wkA