Allergy Awareness Policy Adapted from Trust Model Policy

Policy details

• Date created - 18/01/24
• Date reviewed - 25/01/24
• Date approved - 25/01/2024
• Next review date - January 2025
• Policy owner - Charlotte Millea

1. Aims
2. Introduction
3. Safeguarding
4. Reducing the risk of allergic reactions
5. Responsibilities for allergy management
6. Emergency Auto- Injectors
7. Links with other policies

Aims 

The Academy takes responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of its students and staff very seriously, and are committed to ensuring that those with allergies, especially those likely to have a severe reaction (anaphylaxis), are supported in all aspects of academy life

Where practicably possible we will try to control allergens in our academy, however we cannot guarantee to be allergen free.

We will:

• Provide a written policy which promotes allergy awareness, which all academy staff are aware of
• Ensure our academy raise awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis to the whole academy community
• Aim to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens
• To plan for an effective response to emergencies.

Introduction

An allergy is the response of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances. Whilst in most people these substances (allergens) pose no problem, in allergic individuals their immune system identifies them as a ‘threat’. In some cases can produce a severe anaphylactic reaction which can affect or restrict the airway and could possibly, in extreme cases, lead to death.

Certain responses can be life threatening and extremely harmful, producing a reaction such as anaphylaxis or can be less severe, producing responses such as itching, runny eyes, hives, funny taste in the mouth, swollen eyes and lips. All staff should be aware of these symptoms in relation to this policy.

Safeguarding

In the event of a pupil or staff member having a severe allergic reaction, a Key First Aider would be called . All Key First Aiders at Co-op Academy Delius have an up to date DBS. If the first aider or any other staff member involved in the situation has any safeguarding concerns, these must be reported to the designated person in school responsible for Safeguarding. These concerns should be reported without delay. The Designated Safeguarding Lead and a team of Designated Safeguarding Deputies can be identified via the flowchart which is visible around school and on the website.

Reducing the risk of allergic reactions

Academy staff are aware that insect bites and animal allergies could also cause severe reactions, as well as food types causing analgesic reaction, other substances and exposure to certain animals. Therefore, all staff must be diligent and report any signs of insect or animal to the Operations Manager or one of the caretakers.

If pets or animals are visiting, or kept in school, careful consideration will be given to where the animals are kept, hygiene and cleanliness with animal handling and consideration of individual children’s allergies including completion of risk assessments where necessary.        

Classroom staff are aware of the pupils’ individual needs. This is taken into consideration during the use of food items within the implementation of the curriculum as well as during meal times.                

Substances that cause allergic reactions are known as allergens. Common allergens include:

• Grass and
• tree pollen
• dust mites
• animal dander
• food (particularly nuts, fruit, shellfish, eggs and milk)
• Insect bites and stings
• Medication (including Ibuprofen, aspirin and certain antibiotics)
• Latex (used to make gloves and condoms)
• Mould
• Household chemicals (including detergents and hair dyes).

There are also 14 Food Allergens, all of which can produce an allergic reaction, these include:

• Cereals containing gluten
• Crustaceans
• Eggs
• Fish
• Peanuts
• Soya
• Milk
• Nuts tree nuts
• Celery
• Mustard
• Sesame
• Sulphur Dioxide
• Lupin
• Molluscs
• However there does not need to be a specific trigger

The academy is unable to prevent these substances being brought on site and therefore there is a need for all to be vigilant.

Responsibilities for allergy management

The School Nursing Special Special Needs (SNSN) team will alert the academy care team to the fact that a child has an allergy. The SNSN team will produce/supply a care plan which identifies the allergens for the pupil and the course of action required.

The care team ensures that appropriate training and support is in place to raise awareness of pupils with allergies and how to administer the necessary medication.

The care and cover team work together to ensure that there are sufficient trained members of staff available to provide treatment to anyone having an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis and all staff are trained to recognize and understand the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

All staff are responsible for understanding the rapidity with which anaphylaxis can progress to a life-threatening reaction. Staff are aware that anaphylaxis can occur with or without prior mild symptoms.

Staff are aware of the importance of having anti-allergy medication immediately accessible. Therefore it is the responsibility of the classroom staff to ensure that they are aware of where the medication is stored.

Individual pupils’ antihistamines are kept in the first aid cupboard, these are labelled in accordance with school policy. Any child who has an allergy which can lead to anaphylaxis, will have a small bag containing their medicines. This bag is clearly labelled with their name and photograph. It is the responsibility of the class team to carry this bag around with the child and the care plan, at all times.

Staff are aware of the academy’s Key First Aid Protocol which should be instigated in the event of a severe allergic reaction (Appendix 1)

Staff attend anaphylaxis awareness training on an annual basis. Where possible this should include: how to recognise the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction/ anaphylaxis, the treatment of anaphylaxis and awareness of how to use an AAI. Staff working directly with pupils who have an allergy care plan and other key members of staff (for example, Key First Aiders) will have specific training provided by SNSN. All staff receive online allergy awareness training.

The academy ensures that in the event of educational visits, trained staff support any pupils with allergies. Staff who are responsible for the educational visits will ensure that any pupils at risk of anaphylaxis are assigned a trained member of staff, who is responsible for carrying all the relevant emergency supplies.

The care team will liaise with parents and carers to ensure that medication is ‘in date’. Pupils who require epi-pens will have these close by at all times. These will be carried around school by trained staff and kept safe and not used for any purpose other than its intended use.

Parents/carers are responsible for notifying the academy of any history of allergy, previous severe reactions and if any, history of anaphylaxis. This will usually take place during the Initial Health Care Assessment with SNSN. Parents are responsible for ensuring the academy is provided with sufficient and up to date information about their child’s medical needs.

Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring any required medication is always kept on site, is in date, provided in its original packaging and is replaced when requested by the care team.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that they or another nominated adult are contactable at all times and that student records are up to date.

Health Care Professionals, including GPs, paediatricians and specialist nurse practitioners, should provide parents with an appropriate Allergy Healthcare Plan or Care Plan for pupils at risk of anaphylaxis.

The Catering Manager is responsible for using only authorised suppliers and being the controlling point and contact for all purchases of food stuffs for School catering. Further this, the must ensure that suppliers of food stuffs are nut free or labelled ‘may contain nuts’

The catering team are responsible for being aware of pupils and staff who have such food allergies and ensuring that they do not come into direct access with the allergens which trigger their symptoms.

Emergency Auto- Injectors

Non-statutory guidance was released by the Department of Health in October 2017 permitting Academies to hold emergency Adrenaline Auto Injectors (AAI) on site for emergency use. The academy is allowed to use and hold emergency auto-injectors. Co-op Academy Delius has a spare  AAI.

The use of the spare AAIs is intended for emergency use only on children regarded as being at risk of anaphylaxis or whose own AAI is not available or working. Spare AAIs can be administered to a child if their own AAI cannot be used. At Co-op Academy Delius, the spare AAI, is located in the controlled drug cupboard in the care team office.

The academy can administer spare AAIs without prescription for use in emergencies if:

• A pupil is at risk
• Parent/carer consent has been received for use of the spare AAI.
• If the child is known to be at risk of anaphylaxis.
• NOTE: The academy must highlight that if instruction is given by the emergency services (paramedics) to administer an adrenaline auto injector and parental consent cannot be obtained to administer the academy’s spare AAI, the academy should follow the instructions provided by the emergency services

Links with Other Policies

This policy should be read alongside the following policies:

First Aid Policy 2024 Co-op Academy Delius Supporting Pupils with Medical conditions in school

Appendix 1 

Key First Aiders Protocol (Updated 2023)

Emergency Procedures - Key First Aid

We have introduced Key First Aiders in school. These people are:

• Helen Mahoney (Maternity Leave)
• Sarah Kelly
• Liz Shields
• Caroline Hellewell
• Lorraine Sanderson
• Cathy Alred
• Carla Illingworth

Key first Aiders must liaise with each other if they are leaving the building

These people MUST be called when a child becomes seriously unwell – for example, at the beginning of a seizure for a non epileptic, allergic reaction, if they stop breathing, or administration of buccolam.

How to call upon a Key First Aider  

If there is an emergency, you need to summon help immediately using a radio. There is a script that will be followed.

 ‘Could a Key First Aider Come to Room X, could a key first aider come to room X’.

It is essential that you radio immediately and repeat the message clearly.

The Key First Aider should respond using a radio by saying ‘xxxx is on their way’

The office staff will listen out, if they notice that the request has been made twice without response, they will use the Tannoy to request help.

This process will trigger the involvement of a member of the Senior Leadership who will say  ‘Let xxx if you need SLT’.

Nurses may be called to observe where appropriate.

What happens when the Key First Aider arrives?

The Key First Aider may ask people to leave or may ask for assistance to move the child to somewhere more discrete

The Key First Aider may request a second (specific) first aider to come to support

What is the role of a Regular First Aider?

The introduction of Key First Aiders is to support all first aiders when medical situations become more serious. Regular first aiders should help with minor incidents. They can also administer rescue medication but only with the support of the Key First Aiders. First aiders may be asked to collect consent forms and medicine or rescue medicine whilst the Key First aiders wait with the child.

The rest of the team in class have an essential role in class

It is appreciated by the Key First Aiders, that some class team members may have close working relationships with pupils and that it can be distressing for everybody involved when there is a medical emergency. However, it is essential that the Leader of Learning supports the rest of the children by continuing with teaching. This may need to happen elsewhere and  this may require more help to change location around school.

When should a member of SLT be called?

A member of SLT should be requested when:

• Rescue medication will be administered
• A child is seriously unwell
• The staff need support

What is the role of the Head Teacher or (other member of SLT)

The head teacher (other member of SLT) will attend the incident when requested  to act as a support and a witness.

What is the role of the Head Teacher or (other member of SLT) in the event of a child requiring rescue medicine

The SLT member will ask the following questions as a script for administering medicines:

• Do you have the medicine for the correct CHILD?
• Do you have the CONSENT form or care plan for administering buccal midazolam?
• Do you have the correct medicine and is it out of date?
• Please can you tell me the dose you are going to administer?
• What route are you going to administer the medicine?
• If the situation becomes better, the head teacher will leave, ensuring that the class is safe (for example more staff may be required in class, if the child is in need of closer monitoring

What is the role of the Head Teacher or (other member of SLT) in the event of an ambulance being required

• If an ambulance is required, they may be the most appropriate person to talk to the operator
• If this call takes place, the severity of the child’s needs (i.e Profoundly disabled child) must be relayed
• The head teacher will ensure that the office know if an ambulance has been called and for what child, they will also request that parents are informed
• The head teacher may, where appropriate, look at the care plans and ask questions of the treatment/first aid given
• If parents are coming to school and the situation is very serious, the head teacher may feel that it is appropriate to meet the parents at the reception
• Decide who will go in the ambulance with the child and ensure that cover arrangements have been considered
• If a child goes to hospital in an ambulance, the Serious Incident Book will be filled in by the member of SLT in charge
• If a child is gravely ill and parents are being met at the hospital the head teacher may decide to make arrangements for extra Delius presence at the hospital (for example a member of SLT to travel in their car separately)
• Extra consideration would be given in this case as to which member of staff would travel with the child in the ambulance
• The head teacher will ensure that all parts of this plan are delivered effectively by overseeing or directing staff as required (not medically)

What is the role of the business support team if an ambulance is called

• If there have been unanswered radio calls for a Key First Aider, they must use the tannoy to convey the message
• If an ambulance is called, the office will ask if parents need to be contacted
• The medical information will be photocopied and stamped for GDPR purposes and taken
• to the child when the paramedics arrive
• One member of office staff will man the main barrier and another will await the
• ambulance arriving
• The paramedics will be signed into school
• The paramedics will be escorted to the child
• Ensure staff accompanying children are given the school taxi phone number to call to return to work/home
• Complete the serious incident book

Defibrillator

A de-fib which is kept in the central office. If it is required at the scene of an emergency a radio call will be made saying:

‘Please could the orange box be brought to (location), please could the orange box be brought to (location). Someone from the office will then bring the de-fib to the location.