Identify Pupils with Allergy

The catering manager and senior management team (SMT) should take the lead at ensuring the canteen is allergy aware and safe.

1. All staff working in the canteen should know if there are pupils with allergies at the school. A system should be in place to facilitate this. For example, a register of all pupils with allergies could be kept by the catering manager. A good communication line between the catering manager, pupils with allergies and the parents/carers is essential.
   
   
2. Regular meetings should be held with the SMT and parents/carers to discuss how the canteen can feasibly accommodate the pupil’s allergy. A kitchen code of practice can be introduced if not already in place. An Environmental health officer (EHO) can be contacted to assist with the kitchen code of practice.
   
   
3. Parents/carers need to provide the school with the child’s Personalised Allergy Action Plan, which is signed and issued by a health care professional upon diagnosis. An example is the  BSACI allergy action plan.
   
   
4. The canteen should be able to offer meal options for pupils with allergies at all times, with no risk of allergen cross-contamination.
   
   
5. Pupils should be invited to annual or bi-annual meetings with the catering manager to give feedback on meal options, labelling and canteen layout. This will determine the best way in which all needs can be met.