Asthma
Asthma affects a significant number of children and young people.
Parents need to inform their child's school if their child has asthma.
Schools work with parents, staff and students to provide effective support to students with asthma, in line with the management recommended by the doctor.
Students with asthma need ready access to their reliever medication when an attack occurs. In most cases formal arrangements are made between the school and parents for students to carry reliever medications with them while at school and on all school related excursions.
Where the student with asthma is young, or needs assistance to administer the asthma medication, the school will consult with parents and staff to determine the best arrangement for administering the asthma medication when the student needs it.
In cases of severe asthma or where the principal determines that the student's health support needs cannot be met within existing arrangements, he or she will consult with parents and staff in developing an individual health care plan for the student.
Parents will need to provide information from the child's doctor.
Each school has a staff member trained in the administration of prescribed medications and asthma treatments.
The Department supports the Asthma Friendly Schools Program a national project of the Asthma Foundations of Australia. An asthma friendly school is one where strategies are put in place to support the whole school community in the management of asthma.
