Spike in serious incidents concerning allergens prompts warning from WA regulator

The Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU) in Western Australia has seen an increase in the number of incidents where children with a known allergy or anaphylaxis diagnosis are being given and/or fed foods containing known allergens, prompting a call for vigilance. 

“This is a circumstance that poses a significant risk to children,” the Regulator warned, highlighting the need for approved providers to ensure:

• that any child who has a specific health care need, allergy or medical condition has a medical management plan and relevant staff are aware of the plan requirements and the location of any medication
• that a risk minimisation plan has been developed in consultation with the parents of the child
• that a communications plan has been developed
• all relevant staff and volunteers are aware of the plans to support the needs of the child (induction, training and ongoing practice audits).

Approved providers are required to notify the Regulatory Authority when a child experiences an allergic reaction while at the service, where medical treatment is required. 

If a child is fed a known allergen but does not require medical treatment, this should still be reported to the Regulatory Authority via the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS) as a ‘Notification of Incident’, specifically a circumstance that poses a risk to the health, safety or wellbeing.

For further information and training please see the following resources: 

• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
• Allergy Aware
• ACECQA Policy and procedure guidelines: Dealing with medical conditions in children