advice needed from school staff

[tatt]

my oldest has just started a new school. They are having refresher training for epipen use (from the school nurse) as they haven't had any for a while. If you were faced with a child who had a severe allergy what information would you like to have from the parent?

I'm attending to make sure the training happens, to see the video about the latest recommendations on how to use an epipen and to answer any questions. Also take an extra practise pen and an out of date one for anyone who wants to try the real thing (on an apple or orange).

We are just about to getr training in dealing with trache...(sp?)
Info on the triggers, description of reaction, timescale to use epipen, whether to contact emergency services, yourself etc.
I'm sure the staff will be happy if you could answer any specific questions at the training.

Hi tatt

I think it's great that you're attending the training. I would want to know anything that might trigger the reaction. If it's a food reaction, I'd want to know if there are any foods which are not immediately obvious, but may contain the allergen (e.g. peanut oil etc.) in case any work is being done in school, or anything being brought in from school by other children may cause a reaction.

I had a child with a host of allergies last year. Mum gave us a list of known triggers which we kept right next to the desk so that any adult in the classroom knew. we also talked through alternative treats and possible issues - christmas dinner etc and ways of making it as unobtrusive as possible for the child as could be. I would have liked to have the chance to pracitce using the epipen, although we were told just to point and stab I felt I would have been happier having some training. Have you agreed here will the epipen be?
If the allergies are food based it is well worth asking if they have had a child with simialr difficulties in the past , in which case fine. If not it might be worth running through with them what you would like to happen if another child brings sweets, what about tasting foods from other cultures etc. What staggered us was the number of times we normally did use food in our teaching.. it's normally very motivating for small children but any teacher would want to be sensitive to the needs of a child with allergies. Hope that helps and that your child settles well.

I never mind hijacks, glad to see people getting help. Thanks for the responses. Her worst allergy is peanut. As we've had problems with another school where they'd already had children with nut allergies I never rely on past training.

The school nurse usually does the description of a reaction, when to respond (imediately, you call emergency services if you can, by the time you can call the parent its probably over). She'll carry her pen with her - secondary school so they move about.

Please make sure the school put some sort of info in the class and register, available for any supply teachers - they need to be aware of it, and have a procedure to follow. Maybe stick a red alert on the register, with a photo of your son so he can be instantly recognised.

Very good point about the register for supply teachers fee. Also, if the lunchtime supervisers have an office or cupboard or something, it's worth putting a photograph of your dd with any details, so they know who she is and what to do if there is a problem.

(We used to have a photo list for each teacher at primary school as we were a big (430 children) school and felt that all teachers needed to be aware because of playtimes etc.

Thanks I think they said they'd put a photo in the staff room but I'll have to remember to ask about supply teachers, its often the weak point according to other families.

Christie- I am a STA at Sandside in Cumbria.
We have a 15yo boy who has been off for 18 months and is about to return p/t at first He now has a trach and pegtube. we have dealt withpegs before but not traches.

Back on topic!
In our school we have pen portaits for all the kids in a folder in their classrooms, maybe your school could have similar for medical probs?