Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

The Victorian Schools Asthma Policy.

Asthma management

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

No. The Victorian Schools Asthma Policy, however, is mandatory for all Victorian Government schools and is recommended by the Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools Victoria.

Conditions of compliance

The Victorian Schools Asthma Policy states that every student with asthma attending the school should have a written Asthma Action Plan.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

Components of the Victorian Schools Asthma Policy:

• Asthma awareness
• Asthma medication
• Asthma Medication Delivery Devices
• School Asthma Action Plans
• Supplementary First Aid Supplies
• Cleaning of Delivery Devices
• Assessment and First Aid Treatment of an Asthma Attack
• Asthma First Aid
• First Attack of Asthma
• Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)
• Asthma at Camps and Overnight Excursions
• Evacuation

To access the complete policy, click here.

A student's Asthma Action Plan should be completed by the student's doctor, in consultation with the student's parent/carer. The plan should be easily accessible to all staff and updated annually or when the student's asthma changes significantly.

It is recommended that the school identify which students have asthma at the beginning of the year and send a copy of the School Asthma Action Plan to each of those students' parents/guardians for completion.

School Camp Asthma Action Plan

There are special considerations in caring for a student with asthma while on school camp and so a separate Asthma Action Plan has been designed to include some of these considerations.

The School Camp Asthma Action Plan should be sent home a few weeks before the camp so that the parent/carer and student's doctor can complete it.

School Camp Asthma Action Plan - Medical Update

This form should be completed on the day prior to departure for camp and handed to the staff member in charge. This form will ensure that staff have the most up to date medical information about the student and their asthma. To access the form, click here.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

You may be putting the health of students at risk. There is also the possibility of litigation in the event of a serious incident.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Elspeth Adamson
Manager, Student Services
Ph. 03 9825 7204
elspeth.adamson@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Annia Dear
Risk and Compliance Advisor
Ph. 03 9825 7275
annia.dear@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Independent Schools Victoria documents:

Click here to download a sample Asthma Action Plan (PDF 87KB)

Other links:

DEECD: Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide Section 4.5.10.3 Students with Asthma

DEECD: School Camp Asthma Action Plan Form

The Asthma Foundation of Victoria - Asthma Friendly Schools Program

Submitted 11/23/2006, edited 1/11/2008.