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                WELSHPOOL & DISTRICT PRIMARY SCHOOL

Head Lice Policy

  Introduction

  It is a fact that most schools within Victoria will have some students with head lice at any given time.

As a result Head Lice continue to cause concern and frustration for some parents, teachers and children.  It is acknowledged that while parents have primary responsibility for the detection and treatment of Head Lice, the school also has a role to play in the management of Head Lice infestations and in the provision of support for parents and students.

This school policy is intended to outline roles, responsibilities and expectations of the school community to assist with treating and controlling head lice in a consistent and coordinated manner.

Whilst parents have the primary responsibility for the detection and treatment of head lice our school community will work in a cooperative and collaborative manner to assist all families to manage head lice effectively. 

This school policy draws on information and advice distributed by the Department of Human Services –Victoria.

Parent Expectations

It is expected that the parents/carers and families of students attending this school will:

• Set a side a time each week to check children’s hair for Head Lice, at home, using the recommended conditioner/combing detection method; 
• Ensure that their child does not attend school with untreated Head Lice  (in accordance with Health Infectious Diseases Regulations 2001);
• Regularly inspect all household members and then treat them if necessary;
• Notify the school if their child is found to have live lice and advise when appropriate treatment was commenced (in accordance with Health Infectious Disease Regulations 2001);
• Ensure children with long hair will attend school with hair tied back;
• Use only safe and recommended practices to treat head lice;
• Notify the parents or carers of their child’s friends so they have an early opportunity to detect and treat their children if necessary;
• Maintain a sympathetic attitude and avoid stigmatising/blaming families who are experiencing difficulty with control measures;
• Act responsibly and respectfully when dealing with members of the school and broader community especially around issues of head lice;
• Sign an agreement consenting to inspections and accepting the parental responsibilites of this Head Lice Policy.

School Expectations

To support parents/carers and the broader school community to achieve a consistent, collaborative approach to head lice management the school will undertake to:

• Distribute up to date and accurate information on the detection, treatment and control of head lice to parents and staff at the beginning of the year or more frequently if required;
• Include information about head lice management in the school’s information book distributed to new families attending the school;
• Include information about head lice management in the school’s administration procedures book distributed to new staff;
• Include information and updates in school newsletters;
• Keep staff up to date with current information on Head Lice;
• Provide practical advice and maintain a sympathetic attitude and avoid stigmatising/blaming families who are experiencing difficulty with control measures;
• Access appropriate community resources and support;
• Abide by the recommendations of the School Exclusion Policy of the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001 in that the responsibility to exclude a child from the school rests with the principal or person in charge, and
• Only exclude children from school with live insects;
• Accept the written advice of parents that appropriate treatment has commenced;
• Encourage children to learn about head lice so as to help remove any stigma or ‘bullying’ associated with the issue;
• Request that all families attending this school sign an ‘agreement’ to accept the conditions of the school’s head lice policy;
• Be aware of real difficulties some parents may encounter and seek extra support if required;
• Review the Head Lice policy annually, through the analysis of data collected by parental survey twice a year, and seek endorsement from the School Council/Community;

Management

In order to manage Head Lice infestations, this school will undertake a Head Lice inspection program. This program will conducted under  the auspices of a Head Lice support person who will ensure that:

• Inspections are held in the first week of every term, preferably in the afternoon session;
• All volunteers in the inspection process are adequately trained;
• All volunteers are subject to a police check and have signed a confidentiality agreement;
• All volunteers will adhere to the school policy and latest Department of Human Services information and Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001;
• Only children whose parents have given prior consent, through the school’s blanket consent form, are inspected;
• All members of the school community have the opportunity to be inspected;
• A child that is not inspected due to a lack of parental consent, will be issued with a notice asking for written advice that the check has been carried out at home, and that appropriate treatment has commenced if needed;
• A letter is given to all the children involved in the inspection to reduce stigma and maintain confidentiality;
• They make themselves available at the school, at nominated times, as a contact to parents and be prepared to offer advice and help in treatment and detection methods;
• Parents are surveyed twice yearly as to the effectiveness of the program;
• A register is kept of families experiencing difficulty so that help and advice can be offered on appropriate treatment;
• The school has adequate supplies of resources to support parents.