rmp-logormp-logormp-logormp-logo
  • Why RMP
  • Who we work with
  • Resources
  • Insights
  • People
  • Get in touch
  • Risk Portal
Published by FP Admin on September 30, 2019
Categories
  • Casualty
  • Education
  • Local government
  • Resources
  • Risk Control
  • RMP Risk Control
Tags

Allergies & Risk of Anaphylaxis in Schools

Home > Allergies & Risk of Anaphylaxis in Schools

Introduction

Many children suffer from allergies with the symptoms being relatively mild, however, at some point every school is likely to have at least one pupil who is severely allergic to a type of food or some other anaphylaxis trigger.

Common causes include foods such as peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts), sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products, and eggs.

Non-food causes include wasp or bee stings, natural latex (rubber), penicillin or any other drug or injection.

In some people, exercise can trigger a severe reaction — either on its own or in combination with other factors such as food or drugs (e.g. aspirin).

Peanuts are a common cause of food allergy, caused when the immune system reacts to the protein found in peanuts.

Most severe forms of allergy are manageable with most of the children affected happily accommodated in mainstream schools thanks to effective communication between parents, school staff, doctors, and education authorities.

Tragically, on occasion anaphylaxis can prove fatal. Sadly, this was the case in 2017 when a 13-year-old student died when he was exposed to a substance which triggered a severe anaphylactic response. In December 2021, another tragic case occurred when a 5-year-old boy died at school from a severe allergic reaction.

The Coroner in the inquest of the 2017 case stated that the school could be held accountable for two contributory factors, namely that “there was a missed opportunity by the boy’s school to raise awareness among their pupils of the grave nature of his allergies and the care that needed to be taken to avoid his contact with allergens.” However, there were other significant failings by other parties that were at least, if not more instrumental, in the outcome. These being:

  • That a comprehensive care plan provided to the family by the boy’s medical practitioners was not shared with the school. This in part led to the attending paramedic misdiagnosing the patient due to a failure to provide her with information on the boys severe allergies, resulting in the administering of medication for Asthma rather than anaphylaxis and which (as advised by her organisations then guidelines / information – now revised) should only have been for adults
  • The student (who had multiple severe allergies and asthma) was not carrying 2 Epipens as recommended by published guidance
  • The parents were not actively involved in ensuring that the school had adequate and up to date information and Epipens should just such an incident occur
  • That this was a mainstream school, yet all the responsibility and emphasis for managing the child’s allergies appears to have been left up to the school, with little liaison by the parents or the child’s treatment providers

Schools need to ensure they have a management system in place that:

  1. Identifies the pupils (and staff) that have severe allergies, what these allergies are and how these are to be managed / treated and who holds the responsibility for keeping this up to date
  2. Communicates regularly to all relevant persons throughout the school / organisation of what allergies are currently an issue in school, what triggers these, how to identify anaphylaxis, the need for immediate action and who should take that action. This could be communicated at two levels. Firstly, at a general awareness level of Anaphylaxis to everyone. Secondly, with more specific allergens information to those that the sufferer most often interacts with (teachers, classmates, teammates, dinner staff etc.)
  3. Clearly identifies where medicines are kept and who is to administer them. Ensure those identified are aware of their responsibilities and competent to undertake them
  4. Availability of concise but complete information on persons and their allergens that can be passed to attending paramedics to inform effective diagnosis and treatment
  5. Regular reviews of allergy sufferers, severity levels, their care plans and the medication required by those care plans (care plans are agreed and reviewed with parents and are documented)
  6. A recorded system to identify and address cultural, behavioural, or other issues that put those known allergen sufferers at risk e.g. the regular throwing of food at break times, wasps / bees attracted to waste bins, litter in playgrounds, canteens etc.
  7. Wrap all of this up in a clear policy and procedure on what the school / organisation does to identify and manage the risks from allergens and share this with relevant persons, including parents and medical practitioners
How can we help you?

For more advice on how we can help lower the cost of your risk, please email contact@rmpartners.co.uk

Unsubscribe

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us.

Download Resource

Download the RMP Risk Control - Allergies & Risk of Anaphylaxis in Schools PDF

Related Resources

Tree root claims...

Dogs in Schools...

Skateparks – A Guide for Local Authorities...

Judicial College Guidelines Update – March 2024...

Street Lighting Advice for Local Authorities...

Risk Assessment – Suitable and Sufficient?...

Office Chairs and Fire Safety...

Lighting for Car Parks...

Aggregate stop loss protection...

Cycling to and at work...

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)...

Autonomous Vehicles: Ethical Decisions and the Impact o...

The RAPP Tool...

Free Running...

Laser Safety in Higher Education...

Bodycams in Higher Education – Better Safety...

Solar Panel Installations...

Safety in Managing Street Works – Chapter 8...

The American XL Bully...

Taking Pride in Zebra Crossings...

Market (Injury) Claims Update & Impact of the Whip...

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education...

Dangers from Cobalt in Lithium-ion Battery Fires...

Martyn’s Law – The Protect Duty – A C...

Police Vehicles – Use of Bait and Entrapment Vehicles...

Bike Pool Schemes...

Volunteers – Risk Management Guidance...

Industry Highlights – October 2023...

Managing Choking Risk...

Managing Manual Handling...

Manual Handling: MAC Tool...

Martyn’s Law – The Protect Duty – A C...

Risk Management for Public Events...

Driving and the Menopause...

EV Safety Guidance...

Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination...

What does the energy crisis mean for public spaces?...

General Safety Regulations 2024...

Managing Agency Drivers...

Section 114 Notices...

Managing Roofs in Higher Education...

ESG – Higher Education...

E-Cargo Bikes...

Business continuity management...

Whistleblowing and Safeguarding – Higher Educatio...

BT Redcare Closure...

ESG...

Staying ready – an insight into health and safety regul...

Bite Size Virtual Training Programme – Casualty Risk Q3...

Bite Size Virtual Training Programme – Fleet Risk Manag...

Whistleblowing and Safeguarding...

Bonfires & Fireworks Displays – Higher Education...

Managing the Highways...

RMP Risk Control – Public Sector State of the Nation Re...

Student Suicide Awareness and Management...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Winter Weathe...

Asbestos Management in Higher Education...

Protecting Buildings from Vehicle Attacks...

Managing the Risks from Diabetes...

Assurance Reporting in Higher Education...

Managing Risks associated with Swimming Pools in Educat...

Claims Cost Inflation...

RMP Risk Control – Formula Student...

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Risk Insight...

Unoccupied Premises...

Managing Sleep Debt...

Work Experience Placements...

Seat Belt Buckle Guards...

RMP Risk Control – Permit-to-work management...

Wheel Security...

RMP Risk Control – Thermal comfort at work...

Research Projects which need to be referred to RMP / HD...

RMP Risk Control – Supervised and Unsupervised Gyms...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Contamination...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Incident Inve...

Managing risks associated with online vehicle booking s...

Managing Graduations...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Human Factors...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Slip Resistan...

Joint Venture Risks...

Mould in Landlord Controlled Properties...

RMP Risk Control – Preventing Falls from Windows...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Cleaning Regi...

Broker Bulletin No. 19 – Police vehicles – drivin...

Bite Size Virtual Training Programme – Fleet and Driver...

Bite Size Virtual Training Programme – Casualty Risk...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Flooring, Cle...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Entrances...

New and Expectant Mothers at Work and Study...

Summer Driving...

Assistance Dogs, Service Dogs and Puppy Therapy...

Working at Height Toolkit – Fall Restraint...

Bite Size Virtual Training Programme – Casualty R...

Employees Domiciled Abroad – Higher Education...

Risk Management Health Check...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Stairs &...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Managing Trip...

Employees Domiciled Abroad...

Whiplash Reforms Update – August 2023...

Personal Data Breaches in Higher Education...

Lanyards While Driving...

Slips, Trips & Falls Toolkit – Footwear...

Working at Height Toolkit – Fall Arrest...

IICSA: The End of Limitation?...

Community Speed Watch...

Introduction to Essentials for Enterprise Risk Manageme...

Bite Size Virtual Training Programme – Fleet ...

Working at Height Toolkit – Scaffolding...

Essentials for Enterprise Risk Management (EERM) in Hig...

Working at Height Toolkit – Introduction...

Personal Data Breaches in Public Sector...

Working at Height Toolkit – Fall Protection...

Working at Height Toolkit – Fragile Roofs and Sur...

Managing Woodland Visitors...

Martyn’s Law – The Protect Duty Legislation...

E-Bikes and E-Scooters – The Perils of Lithium-io...

IICSA: The Proposal of a National Redress Scheme for En...

Key Control: how good is your key security?...

Managing Risks Associated with Refuse Vehicles...

Ash Dieback...

Ergonomics and Display Screen Equipment Use...

IICSA: An Analysis of Recommendation 6 of the Final Rep...

The Ups and Downs of Trampoline Parks...

Vaping and the Workplace...

Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Final Repor...

Motor Vehicle Insurance – Use by volunteers of th...

An Analysis of the Mandatory Reporting Requirement prop...

Forest School...

20’s Plenty...

Refuse Collections...

County Lines Drug Running...

Broker Bulletin No. 1 – Defibrillators...

Parkruns...

Well Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice...

Safe Systems of Work – Safe Use of Ladders and St...

E-Scooters...

Competency of Structures Inspectors...

Ice on the Road...

Blue Light Trauma Awareness and Management...

Managing Grass Cutting: A Case Study...

Cycling Events...

Risks in Outsourcing...

Risk Information & Intelligence...

Broker Bulletin No. 17 – Looked After Children an...

Contract Works Cover and Cover for Existing Structures ...

Broker Bulletin No. 18 – Contract Works and Conti...

Fraud...

Highway Code Changes...

Highways Competency Framework...

Firework Risk Management Questionnaire...

Stress Management for Homeworkers...

Managing Inland Open Water (including Ice)...

Bonfires and Fireworks Displays...

Cyber Attacks...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA AIG Europe Limited...

Social Engineering and Deepfakes...

RMP Tenders – Information Required for Quotations...

Play – The Universal Language of Children...

Contractors Training & Discussion Workshop...

Social media: the good, the bad and the ugly...

Towing Legislation...

Stress Risk Management for Emergency Services...

Fireworks – Planning a safe display...

Not My Responsibility...

Automated and Electric Vehicles...

Construction Design and Management (CDM) – The Es...

E-Scooters on Higher Education Campuses...

Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023...

Managing Risks associated with Grey Fleet Vehicles...

Drones and Model Aeroplanes...

Electronic Signatures...

Managing Drivers with Diabetes...

Display Screen Equipment...

Children and Young People within a Higher Education Wor...

Social Engineering...

Electrical Safety...

Misfuelling a Vehicle...

Safe Storage and Use of Vapes...

Home Food Preparation for Schools...

Inflatable Structures...

Managing Risks associated with Hand Arm Vibration Syndr...

Claims Handlers (Auditing)...

Keyless Vehicle Entry Systems – Relay Theft...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA Ecclesiastical Insurance Office ...

Managing Protests in Higher Education...

Students – Sports Injuries...

Broker Bulletin No. 3 – Insurance Act 2015...

Virtual Tree Masterclass – Save The Date...

Combating Bed Bugs...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA MS Amlin AG...

Combating Bed Bugs – Higher Education...

Operator Licence Changes...

W-8BEN-E – Underwriters at Lloyd’s London...

W-8IMY – FATCA Risk Management Partners Limited...

Stress Risk Management – Higher Education...

Managing First Aid...

Homeworking...

Waste Collection and Culture – Risk Management Gu...

Stress Risk Management...

Safe Storage and Use of Vapes – Higher Education...

The viability of care homes...

Managing First Aid – Higher Education...

Children and young people within a Blue Light workplace...

Combined Liability – Decision Tree and Treatment ...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Compan...

Proper Footwear...

Broker Bulletin No. 2 – Local Pension Boards ...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA HSB Engineering Insurance Limite...

Refuse Collection Operations Risk Management – Safety C...

Preventing slips on snow and ice...

Broker Bulletin No. 5 – Employees Own Vehicles &#...

Broker Bulletin No. 13 – Regional Adoption Agenci...

Storage of Hazardous Substances in Educational Establis...

Dementia Awareness for Managers of Drivers...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA Starr International (Europe) Lim...

Tree Safety – Managing the Risks...

Broker Bulletin No. 4 – Contract Works Cover ...

Controlling the casualty risks associated with unmanned...

W-8BEN-E – FATCA QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited...

Shared Services – where are we now...

Children’s Trusts...

How an underwriter sets a premium...

Social Media & Social Responsibility – Highe...

Contract Works Insurance...

Time for a Check Up...

Broker Bulletin No. 8 – Police Risks – Dete...

Broker Bulletin No. 11 – New PL & EL Policy ...

Small events risk management...

Preventing & Controlling Unauthorised Access to Ro...

Broker Bulletin No. 7 – POLICE Risks – Memo...

Broker Bulletin No. 9 – Police Risks – Nati...

Authority Business – Using Your Own Vehicle...

How to complete your renewal questionnaire...

Social Media & Social Responsibility...

Legionella – Risk Controls...

Sign up to receive the latest from rmp

    You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us

    Sign up to receive the latest from RMP

    For information on how we use your personal data please refer to our UK Privacy Notice | EEA Privacy Notice.

      You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us

      RMP

      • Classes of insurance
      • Resources
      • Why RMP
      • Insights
      • Get in touch

      Sectors

      • Local government
      • Police
      • Fire services
      • Education institutions

      Legal

      • Complaints
      • Cookie policy
      • Global privacy policy
      • Lloyd’s Brexit Transfer
      • Modern Slavery Agreement
      • Terms and conditions

      Follow Us

      • LinkedIn
      • Twitter

      © Risk Management Partners Ltd All rights reserved. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority number 313119. Registered in England number 2989025. The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8AW