School allergy training promotes internal policy review and enhances
staff's preparedness in managing pupils with allergies
Abstract
Recently non-statutory allergy management guidance for schools has been
produced in the United Kingdom however there has been limited progress
in implementing this. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect
of face-to-face training on self-reported school staff preparedness in
managing the severely allergic child and whether it would stimulate
schools’ allergy policy review. A preparedness survey was conducted
prior and 2 months post-intervention to assess the effect of training on
self-reported preparedness and perceived confidence to manage children
with food allergies. A sample of 18 (10%) primary schools that
consented to participate were selected. Of the trained schools, 89%
felt confident in dealing with an allergy emergency compared to 39%
prior training (p=0.016). Post intervention all but one had
arranged/were considering introducing allergy awareness sessions to help
pupils manage their allergies (45% pre-training vs post-training 93%,
p=003). Preventative measures for accidental exposure to food allergens
(i.e. no food sharing policy) were adopted by all (pre-training 61% vs
post- training 100%, p=0.03). A face-to-face school allergy training
programme enhances self-reported staff preparedness and promotes
internal allergy policy review in managing the needs of these children,
hence addressing the current gap between recommendations and practice in
schools.