Peanut & nut allergy in school

[Julia76]

Hi Can any one help. My 7 year old son has a severe peanut allergy and i have had lots of problems when it comes to lunch times at school, as they do not have a ban on nuts. After he went in to anaphylactic shock in 2005 we had to be sure we wasnt taking any risks. When he attended the infant school he was isolated to begin with by being put in the in the library area at lunch until i kicked up a fuss as he felt different to everyone else, as i was not made aware of this. The school's solution was not a solution in my eyes & they didnt feel they could do any more then what they were doing. One friend who sat with him one day had a free school meal and it contained a peanut biscuit. They sat him with this boy so he wasnt at risk but obviously had not looked in this boy's lunch box to check what he had for lunch. It was only due to the fact that the boy asked the dinner lady to open it that she noticed. So much for safety at school ay? anyway, they would not consider a nut/peanut ban as they said too many parents would kick up a fuss as lots of children took peanut butter sandwiches to school, nut containing biscuits & my son was the only peanut allergy sufferer in the school.
He is now in the junior school & things have became easier in that he is that much older now and very aware of his peanut allergy. This school will not consider a ban on nuts/peanuts & i worry so much that one day i will have a phone call saying he has gone in to anaphylactic shock again, due to them not taking the necessary precausions. He sits wher ehe choses at lunch in the hall, as he wanted this but i feel they are not doing enough to make sure he is not at risk. d. I have mentioned banning all nuts/peanuts from school but they are of the same opinion of the infant school that a nut ban can not be put in place, due to the fact that Shane is the only child with this allergy & that it would not be fair on the other children. Children have at times eaten mixed fruit & nut at play time & i dont feel this is exceptable. as much as i stress that it is not just about him touching or coming in to contact with someone who may have eaten them, its about them touching door handles, pens, pencils equipment, furniture etc with the peanut oil transfering on to things. Am i over reacting? Nothing has happened as yet whilst being in their care? but i worry so much for him. Does any one know what i may beable to do? I think the schools are more worried of what parents would say if a nut/peanut ban was put in place, then my son's safety! Any opinions or advice much apopreciated.

[Perigrine]

Is he allergic to nuts as well as peanuts - coz you may get a better reaction if you can say that PEANUTs only need to be banned rather than all nuts.

[Julia76]

He is only allergic to peanuts. He has been tested for hazlenut, almond, coconut & brazil nuts & is not allergic to these. Thankfully. But i did say this to the the school. They are aware that he is only allergic to peanuts. But i think its because lots of children take peanut butter sandwiches & mixed bags of nuts/peanuts etc in there lunch or for break. But i may mention this to them again i think. Thanks.

[TheBlonde]

This website may help www.allergyinschools.org.uk

[amynnixmum]

No advice really but i do think the school is out of order, There was a complete ban on nuts and nut products both at preschool and at both of dd's schools. Its not that hard for other parents to get round FGS.

[noonar]

wow, i'm amazed. we have a ban on all nuts at dds' schhols and nursery. i thought it was standard these days. someone more useful will be along soon xx

[brimfull]

Julia,Is this school in the UK?
I am surprised as most schools and parents are aware of the importance of a nut free school.

[Hassled]

Both my sons' schools have peanut bans - and I'm pretty sure in one case there is only one child with an allergy, so your school is talking nonsense. I thought it was standard, as well. Is it worth talking to your Local Authority? Or at least a Governor? You're absolutely not over-reacting - the school have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of ALL the children in the school, and they are not providing that care to your son. Sod the peanut butter sandwiches!

[BettySpaghetti]

At DDs school they have at least one girl with a nut allergy.

As I remember it, the letter we received from school didn't ban children from bringing in nut-based foods in their lunchboxes but it did explain the situation and suggested that parents put nut-free foods in lunchboxes.

It was worded in such a way that it made you think and decide to support that decision.

If your DS's school took that approach, so that parents won't "kick up a fuss" at an outright ban, do you think it would have an effect?

[tatt]

ask if they have carried out a risk assessment. Remind them they would be legally liable if your child had a reaction and they had taken no action to reduce the risk. They can't ban children from bringing nuts into school but they can act to lessen the risk by advising parents there is a nut allergic child at the school and asking them not to send nuts to school. My kids' first school had a nuts ban before they had a child diagnosed with nut allergy.

[Julia76]

Hi, thank you all for your advice & opinion on this. I will look on the website (allergies in school) & i definately talk to the local authority or a governer. When you have spoken to the head teacher & got no where, you kind of think there is nothing else that can be done & i hadn't thought about going to a governer but i will do now. I know of people that work in different schools around the country & they are all of the same opinion, in that a peanut/nut ban would be the best option & this is what their school have done. My son's consultant told me that it is up to each school & his only advice is to ensure they are being as vigilant as possible.

[Julia76]

(ggirl) yes the school is in the uk. I find alot of parents shrug it off. For instance when i have tried telling certain parents who have had my son for tea or at parties of his allergy & what to do in the event of a reaction, they dont really seem to actually be taking it in. Its as though they beleive im over reacting. When he was at infant school, i asked his teacher if she would ask his friends parents who he sat with at lunch to give them a peanut/nut free lunch. One or 2 of them were fine but there were some parents who refused, as there child liked peanut butter sandwiches for their lunch. Very frustrating when you do not get the support you should in situations like tihs. I will takew on board everything you have said on here. I will find out also about the risk assessment & suggesting a letter sent home to all parents explaining his condition etc.Sorry for going on and on again. Thank you all so much. ju x

[Sugarmagnolia]

My childrens' primary school/nursery also has a ban on peanuts because there is one child with a severe peanut allergy. This is a bit of a bummer for me as my DS is a very picky eater and dairy intolerant so at home he lives on peanut butter sandwiches. He frequently comes home having eaten only toast, veg & juice for lunch and is starving. BUT I still think that's a better option than a child potentially ending up in hospital.

[Julia76]

Yes i can understand where your coming form sugarmagnolia & this must be very frustrating for you. I do think about children with such allergies as your child as the schools cannot ban everything.

[Julia76]

The risk assessment. Would i have to go through the schools health & safety officer to find out about this?

[Sugarmagnolia]

Julia - I just want to make sure it's clear that I am on your side in this. Although it is frustrating for me I totally support the school's need to ban peanuts. It must be really scarey for you. Good luck!

[chloesmumtoo]

HI JULIA, OH WHAT STRESS FOR YOU. I HAD ALL THIS WORRY BEFORE SEPTEMBER, THATS WHEN MY DD STARTED. I GOT TOGETHER AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POS. MADE A BIG FOLDER FULL AND ENCLOSED PRINT OUTS OF LOTS OF SCHOOLS THAT HAD BANNED NUTS. HAD LOTS OF CHATS WITH THE TEACHERS AND LUCKILY OUR SCHOOL TREATED IT VERY SERIOUSLY. THEY ASK PARENTS NOT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN IN WITH NUTS/NUT FOODS BUT HAVE NOT WORDED IT AS A BAN. THEY SEND OUT LETTERS EVERY SO OFTEN TO REMIND PARENTS. THEY LET MY DD SIT ON A CERTAIN TABLE IN THE DINNER HALL JUST SO THEY KNOW WHERE SHE IS AND CAN KEEP AND EYE ON HER AND KEEP IT CLEANED THOROUGHLY. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT PARENTS NOT LISTENING AND BECAUSE OF THIS I NEVER LEAVE HER AT PARTIES. I TAKE HER TO ONES AT THEME PARKS, ZOOS ECT WHERE I CAN GO TO. I HAVE ALSO HAD EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE NOT WANTING THEIR CHILDREN TO BE MISSING OUT ON THINGS BECAUSE OF OUR CHILDREN BUT THEY MUST BE MADE TO REALIZE IT IS LIFE THREATENING AND THE BOOT WOULD BE ON THE OTHER FOOT IF IT WAS THEIRS . BELIEVE ME I HAVE BEEN DROVE TO TEARS AT THE SCHOOL GATE.I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS. I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK AND HOPE YOU CAN TURN THINGS AROUND.

[chloesmumtoo]

I DONT MEAN YOU SUGARMAGNOLIA!!! WE UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT MUST BE WITH DAIRY ALLERGY

[tatt]

have you joined the anaphylaxis campaign? The local organisers will often come and visit schools with you. Have you spoken to the school nurse as they can be quite aggressive about nut allergy? The school have to give you their phone number and the nurse is usually at the school once a month or more. You should be told when that is and be able to speak to them. Each child should have a policy agreed with the parents for their medical needs. There will be a governor responsible for health & safety issues and you could ask which it is.

If they are this lax ask about the last time they had training in the use of the epipen ( I assume your son has one if he's had anaphylactic shock). Make sure it is up to date. The training is usually given by the school nurse. You can ask to be there if you want.

[tatt]

PS when parents are difficult about this ask them if they would deliberately put another child's life at risk to save their child some inconvenience. When you put it like that they are ashamed to say yes. I know its difficult for some parents but fussy eaters have a choice - eat or go hungry. The only choice our children have is to be educated at home. I've heard parents say allergic children should be separately educated, anything to avoid their COTH (Centre of the Universe) being put out.

[Julia76]

Hi all, makes me feel a little better knowing im not alone in this. Thank you sugarmagnolia, & i understand things can not be easy for you either. Thanks for your advice (hassle) also as i dont think i mentioned you before. Where did you get print outs about other schools chloesmumtoo? if you dont mind me asking. This would be handy to show my school too. Yes some of the parents are very ignorant & not very helpful but yes your right, the boot would be on the other foot if their child.
I haven't joined the Anaphylaxis campaign but received info from them but not got around to joining yet but i will. I had read somewhere, on another thread i think, about having the opportunity to have an organiser to come with you to the school & i will look in to this, as this will educate all.

[Julia76]

Tatt- Staff have had Epipen training & the school nurse organised a protocol for my son. They didnt have much of an idea what they should be doing though when my son started. I had to tell them he had a protocol in place and that they had to get in touch with the school nurse regarding this. I actually seemed to be doing alot of what the staff should have beoing doing. My son has other allergies also which are Lavender, grass, animals, hot, cold & even pressure. Luckily only mild reactions in the past but they kept making mistakes with the protocol and even put that he was allergic to hazlenuts, almonds etc when he is not. Anyway, there is not much communicaton from the school and i do feel like i never get anywhere with them. But the important thing is that staff have had training and protocol in place. I have written a list of things to go over with them and questions to ask. I have took on board what advice i have been given and i will ensure that they do all they can to ensure my son is safe in their care. Once again thank you all and i will keep you posted on the outcome of the meeting. Just hope all this will not be a waste of time, what with the new proposals the government want to bring in with regards to health eating.

[tatt]

sorry you're having a hard time with them. Some schools are great, others are useless. Sometimes parents do have to do virtually everything. It's very tiring.

[Julia76]

Hi Tatt, thank you again. I have noticed you have put quite a few messages on threads and you certainly know your stuff. Are you just a parent of a allergic child whom has learnt all you have through having to because of this, or is it because of your occupation? Julia

[edam]

Julia, I'm amazed the school aren't taking this seriously. Agree with taking it up with governors but tbh I'd go to the LEA as well. And Ofsted. School are being highly irresponsible and putting your son at risk. And also they are legally liable for anything happening to your son while he's in their care which they should have taken reasonable steps to avoid. So I'd point out legal liability to the LEA.

[Julia76]

Hi Edam, thanks for your comments also. I will do this. I think first of all i am going to arrange a meeting with SENCO(as my son has a statement for educational needs) & i get on quite well with him & the deputy or head teacher, if can. I have written a list of things i am going to ask them. I will ask them if a risk assessment has been done. I will also ask what they have in place, especially at lunch times to reduce the risk of a reaction occuring & this is because my son informs me that the dinner ladies do not check the children sitting next to him every day for peanut butter sandwiches/etc. This was agreed that this would be the best solution when he started last september at this school but i think they are getting slack. They do not have a school canteen & therefore have caters come in from an outside catering department. My son sometimes has a hot school meal but is fussy. The nutritionilist(s?) told a member of their staff to tell me to avoid foods with sauces in(like curry's, chilli, pasta etc) as she couldnt gaurantee nut free as the ingrediants change so much. It didnt worry me too much, as i do not order such meals as he doesnt and would not eat them, dut to being a fussy eater anyway but also due to the risks involved. The school know and catering staff of his peanut allergy but time after time my peanut allergic son was given the wrong meal & made to eat it. He was told that i had ordered it. His name was on the list and therfore if he was suposed to have it, she wanted to make sure he received it. My son told the dinner ladies on a number of occasions that he was suposed to have a different meal(& my older son also told them) but they said they had on the list what i had ordered. It was not correct. This had been going on for some time despite me going in to the school every day for a week at a time or every couple of weeks. A member of the school staff realsied that the cashier had been putting the wrong information on to the spread sheet that the caters and dinner ladies work from & therfore he was not receiving what i had ordered for him. I contacted the head teacher in the end as i was totally fed up with the continuing mistakes & also the caters them selves as the cashier works for the caters & not the school. The head teacher was quite helpful with this, so who knows, i might get a better responce then when i previously spoke to her. Might have something to do with the fact that i told her and caterers that they would both be responsible if he was taken ill whilst in their care though! This is why i worry so much and want to make sure that they are doing all they can, as they have let me down badly The catering place keep giving me free school meal vouchers due to the mistakes that are being made. But the area manager did make a pointin saying that i order form tyhe nut free meals and so no risk. But as mentioned above, i was told that certain meals should be avoided & us parents of allergic children can not be too careful. Does anyone agree or disagree with me on this. May be i have been over reacting with this. I dont feel i have though.

I am going to ask if the head teacher would consider writing a letter to all parents for them to help reduce the possibility of a reaction also. She has previously told me tha she would not consider a ban, so as advised, i will come in from a different direction & ask for her support in trying to reduce the risk, which would help grately if the parents were informed of his allergy. I will ask the head if she would do a talk in assembly about his allergy, as i think the children & parents especially need educating on this. Maybe if i become a member of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, i will maybe ask someone to come a long with me to do a talk, as Tatt i think suggested. Very daunting though. Edam, have you a child with an allergy? or yourself? Thanks for advice. Julia p.s sorry for going on again. I got carried away again. !lol