Rationale Schools must: protect the privacy of students who have a BBV avoid any form of discrimination of students with a BBV provide BBV prevention education as part of the health education program in line with the Victorian Curriculum. The Department of Health & Human Services advises, as long as basic hygiene, safety, infection prevention and control and first aid procedures are followed: risks of contracting blood born viruses are negligible staff have a duty to provide first aid to students or other staff with a BBV in the classroom, physical education and sports settings and on school grounds Purpose To outline how Charles La Trobe College will deal with blood-borne viruses (BBV). BBV's include Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). To ensure the school complies with DET policy and guidelines and the legislative requirements of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 Equal Opportunity (Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation) Act 2000 Definition Hepatitis is a term that describes inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by viruses, alcohol, drugs and other toxins, or less commonly by a breakdown in a person’s immune system. Inflammation is a natural reaction of the body to injury and often causes swelling and tenderness. Implementation The BBV status of a student is a private matter between a student and his/her family doctor. When parents/carers report the BBV status to the Principal, the Principal will respect the student’s confidentiality and keep the information from being accessible from others without parent/carer consent and/or student consent, if appropriate. Note: the above privacy principles also apply to school staff. In accordance with the requirements of the above Acts, the school will protect students from victimisation or discrimination based on BBV infection. Examples of discrimination include: refusing to enrol the student excluding the student from attendance denying access to school programs or activities failing to protect the student from harassment or victimisation breaching confidentiality related to the BBV status differential application of school rules
Rationale Schools must: protect the privacy of students who have a BBV avoid any form of discrimination of students with a BBV provide BBV prevention education as part of the health education program in line with the Victorian Curriculum. The Department of Health & Human Services advises, as long as basic hygiene, safety, infection prevention and control and first aid procedures are followed: risks of contracting blood born viruses are negligible staff have a duty to provide first aid to students or other staff with a BBV in the classroom, physical education and sports settings and on school grounds Purpose To outline how Charles La Trobe College will deal with blood-borne viruses (BBV). BBV's include Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). To ensure the school complies with DET policy and guidelines and the legislative requirements of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 Equal Opportunity (Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation) Act 2000 Definition Hepatitis is a term that describes inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by viruses, alcohol, drugs and other toxins, or less commonly by a breakdown in a person’s immune system. Inflammation is a natural reaction of the body to injury and often causes swelling and tenderness. Implementation The BBV status of a student is a private matter between a student and his/her family doctor. When parents/carers report the BBV status to the Principal, the Principal will respect the student’s confidentiality and keep the information from being accessible from others without parent/carer consent and/or student consent, if appropriate. Note: the above privacy principles also apply to school staff. In accordance with the requirements of the above Acts, the school will protect students from victimisation or discrimination based on BBV infection. Examples of discrimination include: refusing to enrol the student excluding the student from attendance denying access to school programs or activities failing to protect the student from harassment or victimisation breaching confidentiality related to the BBV status differential application of school rules
Blood-Borne-Viruses-Policy-Jan18.docx