To worry about allergic reactions in schools

Please ignore this - it’s as shocking as the response from your school. My child has a severe allergy (anaphylactic) and has EpiPens on him at school at all times - in a designated place in the classroom and in a bumbag on him when not, eg in the lunch hall. All staff know how to administer it and when he goes to someone’s house for the first time, I send them a 30 second video instructing how to use it in the event of an emergency. Epipens would have to be used immediately in an emergency so there’s no point in them taking vital minutes to be found or for the appropriate member of staff to be found. I hope that your school can give you the support that both you and the children deserve, but please look up how to use them in the meantime - thankfully it’s very simple so will hopefully reassure you.

OP thank heavens for people like you who care. An allergic reaction can turn fatal within 30 minutes and it’s something which now affects something like 1 in 12 children. You are absolutely right to take this seriously. My DD has multiple allergies and it’s terrifying.

I suggest you put your request to be told where the pens are in writing (and draw attention to the fact it’s in writing) and mention that wonderful buzzword word “safeguarding”. That way they cant fob you off! I’ve drafted something for you if it’s of any use:

Dear x,

In light of the recent allergy death of Benedict Blythe at another school which has been high profile in the news, I am putting in writing my request to be told where the adrenaline autoinjectors / Jext / Epi-pens are kept so I can access them in the event one of the children has an allergic reaction.

As a lunchtime supervisor, who is sometimes alone with the children at a time they are consuming foods and therefore at risk, I believe this knowledge is critical to ensure the adequate safeguarding of the children.

Kindly let me know in writing if this request can be accommodated.

Many thanks,

Certainly every school I’ve every worked in so I don’t understand why any school wouldn’t (especially the school that a pp said just 3 staff were trained)

A ratio of 1:20 with 2-4 year olds?! That is ridiculous, no wonder you’re concerned!

1. The current school suppliers sell AAIs - which aren't to be given to random kids, they're for those who are already known to have been prescribed them but either the parent hasn't sent them in or they fail - and they are much, much cheaper than that company without being locked into a five year contract.
2. Why the fuck would a locked box be in any way appropriate for AAIs? They have to be immediately accessible to anybody.
3. Half hour online training? It's already in the First Aid training with actual practice pens, not watching a video.

I do not believe that examining the actions taken by the TA and the teacher in this case will result in the right lessons being learned.

That is great. Ive known schools prep the children and staff well. It makes parents confident their child will be cared for and that they've covered every base as they should

If I had a child in anaphylaxis (or in need of an ambulance full stop) I would be ringing 999 irrespective of the rules.

I know, it's mind boggling. When every second counts this cannot be the plan. The EpiPen should be near the child who needs it.

This absolutely can't be the safety plan in any school.
Hope there's a sensible child around who can go and fetch the head? What if you're supervising Reception children?
Relying on other children to communicate medical information to staff is never going to happen.
School staff are also unlikely to have phones on them.

We aren’t allowed to call the emergency services from our mobile phones

It definitely makes me feel more relaxed about it.

I will say though that I know not all teachers are trained in how to use it which does worry me sometimes.
When he was first prescribed it my son was the only one that needed one not sure if it's changed now but I had to keep him off school for 2 weeks while they sorted out out training

When I was at school, even the kids were taught what to do as we had a boy in our class who had very severe allergies. We knew where the epi pens where and how to administer it if there was an emergency. He carried one around in a little case and then there was one in the first aid room, one in the classroom and others dotted about, they were in mini cupboards on the wall. I remember it well, despite never having to use one.

I forgot to say that there was also a an epi pen that followed the child in a bumbag too. But we actually had problems with this where people forgot they had it and wandered off to the loo for much etc, so the back up cupboard came in.

@mumto4boys16 @Sunshineismyfavourite it's really encouraging to hear about schools that are getting this right

We always used to carry a bumbag with the epipen inside it when we were on duty. The person carrying it was trained to use it and the one responsible for said child on that day. To keep this stuff in the office which could be a good few minutes away isn't the best idea.

One of my children carries an epi pen and when he goes for lunch, his box that's labelled with his name and also has a picture of him on goes with him.

Every school also needs to make sure they have EpiPens available for children who aren't prescribed them too. People can develop new allergies or not even realise they are allergic to something.

kittmedical.com/

I agree with that to some extent but it is also the only way for lessons to be learnt.

But this is also the reason my daughter's school eventually realised that when I was pushing them to improve their procedures in relation to allergies it was as much to protect them as her.

When she first arrived they did a lesson in school involving her allergens without sending a letter home to parents or checking with me. When I asked to see their risk assessment they said they didn't do them for food activities. Wtf.

It feels very much like there is still a misplaced assumption that nuts are the only "real" allergen and that by banning them they have done their duty.

But milk is the most common serious allergen in children and at lunch and break time in any schools there will be swarms of children eating cheese , yoghurt, chocolate biscuits etc. So it is beyond foolish not to ensure all lunchtime staff are trained and have ready access to EpiPens.

No criticism of these individuals, my heart breaks for them as well as for the family of Benedict. We can't know what we don't know. School management have a duty of care to ensure all their staff are properly trained.

I think it is reasonable in light of the inquest which is in the news, that all schools consider giving all school training on the use of epipens, to protect their staff.

The death in question, was a tragedy, there should be an inquest, but I do not believe that the teaching assistant and teacher should be put under public scrutiny, before the conclusion of the inquest (or at all in this case but I am not privy to all of the details of the case, nor am I a lawyer) as is currently happening in the press.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately and have been following the inquest into the tragic case in the news.
I was a teacher for 10 years and had the training several times, but I believe there are operational issues which lead to these sort of incidents. Of course most allergic reactions will happen around meal or break times, where teachers are usually not around and it's the lunchtime staff. In my school, the lunchtime staff turnover was huge and we were often borrowing staff from the lower school for the upper school etc. So that staff member might not even be aware of who the child is or what their allergies are. Sending a child to go and get someone is good in theory but this can take time too and in my school the office was miles away from my classroom. I wouldn't feel confident in anyone except a bright year 5 or 6 pupil doing this. Again, vital time ticking. Lastly, we campaigned again and again for there to be an EpiPen in every classroom but they have to be prescribed to a pupil so 'spares' were not allowed. Throw into the mix that it was taken downstairs for lunch, then the TA that usually brings it back was tied up in safeguarding issue for example, and you have a perfect storm of events that could lead to potential preventable tragedy.
I've just been to my daughter's reception induction and there's a little girl in the class with severe allergies. I know that the family haven't been able to take her to any playgroups, soft plays, events, parties etc because of how severe they are. Her parents must be so worried.

I've never known a school not do whole school training. I can imagine the odd one or two will do but most will do whole school.

https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/six-year-old-school-girl-wins-compensation-after-suffering-severe-allergic-reaction-at-school/

17% of severe allergic reactions happen when a child is at school.
Most of those will be at lunch or break time.

Of course teaching assistants and lunchtime supervisors need to be trained. And of course the EpiPens shouldn't be sat in a cupboard far from the child.

I completely disagree. Lunch time and break times when children are eating are the most high risk times for allergic children.

Both my children have severe dairy and egg allergies. Both have had accidental contact with their allergens at lunch time. One had a very severe reaction.

School is one of the most common places for a child to have an allergic reaction and the most likely time will be lunch time or break time.

All staff should be EpiPen trained. And EpiPens should be near the child not tucked away in a cupboard

No, many allergic REACTIONS are not fatal. All allergic reactions have the potential to be fatal.