Who are we?

The School Allergy Care Project was initiated back in 2014 when the research team measured for the first time the school preparedness in the management of children with allergies. A pilot training programme was then offered to a small number of  schools in Northern England.

The findings of the  school preparedness survey confirmed that the available guidance had not been implemented in schools at that time yet, and schools lacked confidence in managing children with allergies. However, the survey did show schools’ desire to work with health care professionals in putting together a robust policy and a management protocol for allergy emergencies.

The  pilot training programme results confirmed that a step by step guidance for schools and support to develop practical skills can improve the school staff’s self-reported confidence and the overall school preparedness. A positive behaviour change was recorded during these training sessions and confirmed that face to face training is the most effective way to support schools in this area.

Despite the publication of additional guidance in 2017, schools remain non confident in managing children with allergies. The recent incidents of fatal anaphylaxis have urged professionals, patients organizations and individuals to request a road map to improve school preparedness (statutory policies and training programmes).

In order to help Scottish schools with the implementation of the Government’s guidance, we are currently piloting a training programme for schools in collaboration with the city councils of the West of Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the University of Glasgow (ethics no. 200190005).

We aim to determine whether an allergy management training programme improves the preparedness of primary and secondary schools to manage children with severe allergies. The feasibility and cost effectiveness of such a programme will also be determined.

This website aims to be a one stop resource for Scottish schools to compliment the training and provide a link to professionals caring for school age children.

This project was funded by Mylan (Viatris) via an unsolicited request for provision of an unrestricted educational grant.

On behalf of the development team. 

Dr George Raptis, Consultant in Paediatric Allergy, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow 

Rebecca Totterdell, PhD student, University of Glasgow

          

 

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