Schools and allergic children

[RainbowMeg]

Just found out today my 7 year old daughter's teacher and TA still haven't received Epipen training - Spoke to them in sept and I thought it would happen soon...

Is anyone else expected to accompany their child on school trips as the school don't want to take responsibility for them?

We send packed lunch everyday and the Welfare assistant and nursery nurses are trained to use the epipens.

Am I being unreasonable in thinking I shouldn't have to go on a school trip - Surely it is their responsibility to take a trained staff member. My daughter is so fed up of being 'different' all the time and I really think they need to accept her as she is and deal with her issues..

Gosh it isnt as if using an epipen is difficult is it, training takes what 30 mins. teacherr should be trained imo.

Sorry to but in, training to be a TA and wondered where you would go for that training or does somone come to the school to train the staff.

Our school nurse did a training session during an inset day..

I don't think you're being unreasonable. There used to be a little girl in one of my son's classes who had a nut allergy. Her parents didn't accompany her on school visits but they did always check that the teachers concerned with the visit had her epipen with them. I'm assuming that the staff were trained to use it but she was never made to feel different.

I don't think you're being unreasonable. All the staff at DD1's school are trained in Epipen use and I thought that was standard practice.

School trips are a relatively high risk situation for her, because her confirmed allergy is to bee stings. She's also on a nut-free diet because DH has a severe nut allergy.

There has never been any question of asking me to go along. I have had a brief conversation with the teacher each time, just to reassure myself that they are on the case, and they have always done their risk assessments and got themselves up to speed before I even broach the subject.

Hi
I'm astounded they've not had their epi-pen training yet. Could you get the free training bumfh from the epi-pen website and get the teachers to go through it?
Re school trips - I've always gone along just because it seems really tough on the teachers should C have a reaction to make them cope with C as well as the rest of the class. I'd rather be there to make sure he was properly looked after and that there was someone to go with him in the ambulance. However, this is not always easy - do you have any friends who could sub you for the trip who you've epi-trained?

I've given them loads of handouts on epipens and anaphalaxis - Have shown the teacher how to use the pen with both a trainer pen and a real one on an apple... I think they just don't want the responsibility..

Can understand that they don't want to do it without official training - Insurance and all that..

Could have cried though when I asked the TA if teacher would do it and she said she didn't think so.. I asked her if she would and the look on her face said it all, as she murmered "not really"

Why do they make me feel that she is the only child in the world like this?? So many other schools deal with it so much better..
It just makes me so sad.

I can't believe that they would stand by and watch her struggle to breathe rather than do the injection.. I know it's a scary thought injecting someone, but it is not going to be needed if they supervise her properly around food....

I would go if I could, but not possiable, as have no one to leave my other little one with (They have additional needs too.)

this is unacceptable. If the teacher is not prepared to be trained and is not prepared to compromise then you need to speak to the head. Failing that you need to approach the governors and tell them that your child's health is being put at risk because of the lack of training by staff and you want this sorted ASAP.

Point out that training is essential even in class as the time it takes to go and get a trained member of staff to administer the epipen could be the difference between life and death, so it is much safer if the pen can be used by someone already in the room.

Your child is an equal member of her class, and as such her needs should be met.

I'm afraid that this is only too common these days.

When my DS went on a school trip in year 6 he had a severe reaction to some ice cream he ate, and although me and DS's dad had clearly stated that we wanted his Epi pen to be given even in the smallest of reactions, the head teacher wouldn't give it. DS even asked for it, bless him. But his request was also over ruled, instead the head bundled DS into the back of his car and drove him to hospital. At least he did that!

When they got there, the consultant told the head that he should have given the Epi pen and not taken the chance in not giving it.

Reading between the lines, I think the head was perhaps mindful of a comeback should something have gone wrong.

Rainbowmeg, I can fully understand your concern about the adults standing by and watching a child struggle to breathe. That's exactly how I felt when I found out that my DS had asked for his Epi pen but been refused.