Health and safety procedures
A procedure is a step-by-step guide that helps schools:
- meet all their legal responsibilities
- comply with relevant standards and policies.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of their procedures, you can contact your school by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or searching the schools directory.
Allergies
Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Please tell your child's school of any known allergies.
Schools can deal with severe and sudden allergic reactions (known as anaphylaxis). Detailed guidelines explain ways to minimise all students' exposure to potential allergens.
Read more about anaphylaxis management.
When biting insect populations increase (e.g. after heavy rains), use insect repellent to prevent insect bites. Read more about insect viruses and allergies.
Managing medications
Schools are only allowed to administer medication:
- as directed by a medical practitioner with a written request by a parent or carer
- where emergency first-aid medication is needed.
You must inform your school if your child has any specific medical needs and/or needs medication during school hours.
For medication (including over-the-counter medication) to be administered during school hours and/or during school-related events, provide the school with:
- a completed consent to administer medication form (DOCX, 106KB)
- the medication with an attached pharmacy label, in its original container, with intact packaging.
The school will need additional written information from the prescribing health practitioner if your child needs medication as an emergency response or as-needed (but not necessary as an emergency response) or if they require insulin. Please refer to the information for parents (DOCX, 82KB) to ensure all documentation required for the safe administration of the medication is provided to the school.
Read more about:
Contagious conditions
Some conditions, like measles or chicken pox, are contagious and students with these conditions need to be kept away from school so the disease doesn't spread. There are recommended time out periods for different conditions.
Read more about managing contagious conditions and recommended time out periods (PDF, 702KB).
Head lice
Another common contagious condition in schools is head lice. You should check your child regularly for head lice and follow the recommended treatment if they are found. If school staff notice head lice, they will send a message home and you will be asked to start the treatment.
Find out how to treat head lice and other useful information about head lice management.