Managing your child’s anaphylaxis at school or child care

Your child’s school and child care provider need to work with both you and your child to minimise his or her exposure to known allergens.

Knowledge of severe allergies will assist staff to better understand how to help children who are at risk of anaphylaxis.

Advice for parents and guardians

If your child is known to be at risk of anaphylaxis and attends a school or child care service, you must:

• inform staff of your child’s allergies
• discuss risk minimisation strategies with staff
• work with staff to complete an Individual Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan (external site)
• provide the school or child care centre with a copy of your child’s Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy 
  (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (external site) that has been completed by a medical practitioner and has an up-to-date photograph
• supply the child’s adrenaline auto injector to the school or child care facility and ensure it has not expired.

Your child’s school or childcare staff should:

• know your child is at risk of anaphylaxis
• communicate regularly with you
• follow information contained in your child’s Individual Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan
• obtain training in how to recognise and respond to an anaphylactic reaction, including administering an adrenaline auto injector
• ensure the adrenaline auto injector is stored in an unlocked, easily accessible place
• in the event of a reaction, follow the procedures in your child’s ASCIA action plan.

Where to get help

• If you have severe symptoms, always dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance in a medical emergency
• See your doctor
• Visit healthdirect (external site) or call 1800 022 222

More information about allergy and anaphylaxis management at WA public schools

Visit the Department of Education (external site) for student health care information and planning forms.

Read the Department of Education student health care policy (external site).

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This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.