Allergies in children can be a very daunting experience for both parents and children. Having confidence in the school’s capability to effectively care for their child and their allergy can go a long way toward making the child and their parents feel more prepared and better supported by school. Schools need to consider how to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, in line with the statutory guidance Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions.
In 2014, the Children and Families Act 2014 made it a legal duty for schools to make arrangements for pupils with medical conditions – this includes children with food allergies. All pupils with medical conditions – including food allergies – should have an Individual Healthcare Plan agreed between the parents and the school. Where a pupil has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) for use in an emergency, teachers and other non-healthcare professionals are permitted – but not obligated – to administer an AAI under existing legislation.
In 2017, the law to allow schools to obtain, without a prescription, “spare” AAI devices for use in an emergency, if they so wish. Spare AAIs are in addition to any AAI devices a pupil has been prescribed and bring to school. The spare AAI can be used if the pupil’s own prescribed AAI’s are not immediately available.
The following website contains lots of useful information for schools, including a range of Allergy Action Plans produced by The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and a model policy for allergies in school:
