Compulsory labelling of children in school

[Notmesirnoway]

I've name changed for this although probably fairly outing anyway but such is life.

Our school are insisting that all children with allergies or coeliac etc. wear a compulsory lanyard in the lunch hall whether they have school meals or not

My ks2 child who has successfully managed their coeliac disease since age four won't wear it and I don't blame them.

Is this even legal?

It's even packed lunches which really gives me the 😕 rage.

All advice welcome.

[Notmesirnoway]

Bump, don't made me move to aibu I'm too delicate

[Sirzy]

Then talk to the school and explain in this situation it's not needed. However in general I think it makes a lot of sense for primary age children, makes it's easier for dinner staff to avoid possibly dangerous situations.

[Heirhelp]

I think it should be consider on a case by case basis.

[Notmesirnoway]

Sirzy I'm in the process of talking to the schoolbit but not getting very far.

It's being imposed after half term. My child has made it to year five without an issue by simply checking everything she has been given to eat!

Try telling a ten year old that their differences will be labelled for all to see......and they have no choice in the matter. I've offered to sign some sort of waiverand withdraw her from school lunches

[Notmesirnoway]

But she still has to go to the hall to eat the packed lunch I provide unless I give up work to take her home every lunchtime?

[70ontheinside]

I think it is discriminatory and the health and safety concerns do not overrule the obvious singling out.
Our primary has displays of children with allergies in staff only places - that should be sufficient.

Ask for their policy and how it ties in with county guidelines.

[insan1tyscartching]

Dd's primary used to display the photos of affected children and details of any allergies next to the serving hatch so no need to identify the children to anyone else. It worked for her school maybe you could suggest similar? Children who had packed lunches were thought to have been given lunches that would meet their requirements as you might expect so obviously weren't on display.

[Notmesirnoway]

Thank you will do. I think it's being imposed on the school by county caterers ......

I've been researching and at another local scull l school they all have a wristband indicating their lunch choice and allergic kids just have a second one, that seems less over the top than a big yellow lanyard with photo and detail.

I'm sure some parents, especially of ks1 kids, might love this but my main issue is the compulsory element I suppose.

[Notmesirnoway]

They have the photo system at present.

[Msqueen33]

My dd is 8 and very clued up about her coeliac. She had school lunches. They gave her the wrong one. It's a busy lunch hall.

[T1mum3]

That's awful and absolutely not on. Have they even given a reason for it?

[Notmesirnoway]

It's on the request of the centralised catering company. I think I should point out my concerns are that it's being presented as compulsory and covering packed lunches that I provide. My main issue is the compulsory nature of the measure as I know that my otherwise very well behaved, very rule sending child is going to point blank refuse and I don't feel this is something I can force with "rules are rules".

That's why I wondered if they can impose this unilaterally on everyone with no opt out.

[MollyHuaCha]

Hmm... tricky one. It sounds as though you are an organised mum with a mature child. Your DD does not need the lanyard and wd find it embarrassing. But many parents and children are not like you, despite very serious illness being at stake. I think generally the lanyards are not a bad idea as an allergic food reaction or glutening incident can actually be fatal. If a child wearing a lanyard suddenly became very unwell, the lanyard wd instantly draw to everyone's attention that it cd be a food related emergency. Clearly the catering company want to protect children (and cover themselves). In yr case, seeing as DD has managed to get to Y5 without problems, I think you could request that she continues as she has done up until now. You may have to sign a disclaimer. But you should not have to withdraw her from the lunch hall. Maybe every child could wear a lanyard of some sort??? Good luck with it!

[Notmesirnoway]

Thanks everybody food for thought.I still update nothing worse than an un updated thread ;)

[Notmesirnoway]

Happy to report a compromise has been agreed and child can use a card that they hand to server /keep in packed lunch. So relieved and have thanked school.Thank you for all the viewpoints :)

[Bloopbleep]

Dd's school have ignored 3 years of letters from medical professionals and calls and meetings from us regarding monitoring her dairy intake so I actualLy don't see this being a huge problem. At least they're being proactive.

[T1mum3]

That's great. It's the humiliation of having to wear something that clearly marks you out as different that I found really uncomfortable. Well done for finding a solution.