Anaphylaxis Management

Catholic Regional College Sydenham is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all our students and complying with the current Ministerial Order No.706 and the Department of Education and Training's Anaphylaxis Guidelines as amended by the Department from time to time (Guidelines).

The College recognises that although it cannot achieve a completely allergen free environment, it is our policy to:

To provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of the student’s schooling;
To adopt the recommendations of the Guidelines where relevant to the College;
To raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the College’s anaphylaxis management policy in the college community;
To engage with parents/carers of each student at risk of anaphylaxis when assessing risks and developing risk minimisation strategies for the student; and
To ensure that staff have knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the College’s policies and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

It is the responsibility of parents and carers to:

Provide the School with an emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan), which includes a current colour photo of their child. This will be scanned in original condition into the Student Information System (SIS).
Supply the School with their child’s adrenaline auto injector and ensure it has not expired, which is stored at the front office.
Work with the School to develop an individual management plan and review it annually.
Give permission for their child’s photo to be displayed in areas around the School.

The College has devised processes to respond to anaphylactic incidents, with staff undertraining training every two years, with briefings every 6 months. These include:

In the classroom

Identify the student (Photographs located in Cluster Office).
Lay student flat/Sit the student up (depending on response from student). Do not allow them to stand or walk. Do not leave the student.
For an insect allergy, flick the sting out if it is visible.
Contact the front office by email / phone, or send a student to Reception for the First Aid Officer to provide an immediate response with the EpiPen and Management Plan including the ASCIA Plan. This includes the delivery of the auto injector device.
Teacher/First Aider (if trained in administering an EpiPen) to administer the EpiPen.
Teacher/First Aid Officer to notify 000.
Teacher/First Aid Officer to notify Parents/Carer.

At recess / lunchtime

Identify the student (Photographs attached to the yard duty boards.
Lay student flat/Sit the student up (depending on response from student). Do not allow them to stand or walk. Do not leave the student.
For an insect allergy, flick out the sting if it is visible.
Contact reception immediately on the walkie-talkie for the first aider to provide an immediate response with the EpiPen and Management Plan including the ASCIA Plan. This includes the delivery of the auto injector device.
Teacher/First Aider (if trained in administering an EpiPen) to administer the EpiPen.
Teacher/First Aider to call emergency assistance on 000.
The Teacher/First Aider to notify Parents/Carer.

School Excursions / Camps / Sporting Events

Be aware of medical conditions of students in your care by checking SEQTA Profiles and Medical Plans.
The activity organiser is responsible for ensuring that Students who are at risk of anaphylaxis have an auto injector, antihistamine and ASCIA Action Plan packed for the event.
Communication devices e.g. mobile phones, satellite phones, should be packed to ensure the ability to communicate if so required.
The teacher (if trained in administering an EpiPen) consults the Action Plan and follows the plan, administering the auto-injector promptly.
Teacher/ Supervisor to call emergency assistance on 000.
The Teacher/ Supervisor to notify Parents/Carer.
The Teacher / Supervisor to notify School.
Incident report to be completed upon return to the School.

Easter Vigil Ceremony