Student health

Supporting student health and wellbeing

The Department of Education works actively to support students' health and wellbeing in schools.

The Supporting student health and wellbeing policy statement provides advice for Queensland state schools to ensure systems are in place to promote and support the health and wellbeing of students when at school or involved in school activities.

Requirements and responsibilities for state schools in regard to student health and wellbeing are included in the following departmental procedures:

• Administration of medications in schools
• Managing students’ health support needs at school
  
• Supporting students with asthma and/or at risk of anaphylaxis at school
• Management of prescribed contagious conditions
  
• Student protection
  
• Supporting students' mental health and wellbeing
  

In addition, Queensland state schools have access to the following guidelines to support students' health and wellbeing:

• CPR for life
• Developing a sun safety strategy
• Drugs education and intervention
  
• Head lice
• Insect viruses and allergies
• Living with bats
• Managing excessive heat in schools
• Physical activity in state schools
• Road safety.

Supporting student health and wellbeing policy statement

The supporting student health and wellbeing policy statement supports schools to ensure systems are in place to promote and support the health and wellbeing of students when at school or involved in school activities.

Smart Choices

Smart Choices is about offering healthy food and drink choices to students in Queensland state schools, and applies to all situations where food and drinks are supplied in the school environment.

Health support needs

School staff, parents/carers and health professionals collaborate to manage identified health risks for students with health support needs. Schools provide support for students, taking into account what is safe and reasonable in an individual case. This means that health plans are developed and followed for students with health support needs, that staff are aware of the student's medical condition and that an appropriate number of staff have been trained to support the student.

This includes schools providing support for students with asthma and at risk of anaphylaxis, if required. Schools take steps to reduce exposure to allergens to assist students at risk of anaphylaxis to be safe at school.

Queensland Health services in schools

Queensland Health offers a number of services within Queensland state schools, including vision screening, oral health services and immunisation program.