Head Lice Policy

1. Purpose
   1. This policy outlines the requirement for ACT public schools to prevent and minimise the spread of head lice.
2. Policy Statement
   1. The ACT Education Directorate (the Directorate) is committed to supporting schools in managing head lice in a way that promotes health, reduces stigma, and minimises disruption to learning.
   2. This policy aligns with national health advice and public health principles, which emphasise that students with head lice do not need to be sent home immediately if head lice are detected. They should not be excluded from school, as long as effective treatment begins prior to returning to school.
   3. School staff and parents/carers are to work collaboratively to treat outbreaks and minimise the spread of head lice.
   4. Schools are to take an educative approach to preventing the spread of headlice, such as incorporating learning activities focused on preventing the spread of head lice into curriculum and encouraging students to learn about head lice to help remove any stigma or bullying associated with the issue.
   5. If a student is suspected to be affected by head lice, their privacy must be upheld, and the school must respond to the suspected infestation of head lice as per the Head Lice Procedures.
3. Scope
   1. This policy applies to Directorate staff, ACT public school students, parents/carers, volunteers and visitors.
4. Context
   1. Head lice infestations are a common occurrence among children and are not a sign of poor hygiene. While head lice do not spread disease, they can cause discomfort, itching, and distress for students and families.
   2. In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) publication Staying Healthy Guidelines, head lice management in schools requires a balanced approach that supports student wellbeing, reduces unnecessary school exclusions, and encourages a consistent response from schools and parents/carers.
   3. Head lice eradication is most effective if the whole community work together to treat infestations.
5. Responsibilities
   1. The Education Support Office (ESO) must:
      1. provide policy guidance, resources and support to schools to prevent and minimise the spread of head lice and respond to infestations in line with NHMRC guidelines; and
      2. promote consistent messaging across the system regarding head lice management.
   2. Parents/carers must:
      1. manage and treat their child’s head lice with support from public health experts;
      2. ensure their child and other household members are regularly checked for infestations, particularly during outbreaks;
      3. notify the school as soon as possible if their child has head lice and ensure treatment has begun prior to returning to school;
      4. ensure follow-up treatments are completed as recommended to prevent reinfestation; and
      5. understand that children should not be excluded from school once treatment has commenced.
   3. Principals must:
      1. implement a whole school approach to the head lice management that maintains confidentiality, upholds privacy, and promotes a school culture that is supportive and non-judgmental;
      2. ensure the school community has access to resources and information regarding head lice detection and treatment, including this policy and procedure;
      3. communicate with parents/carers in a timely and respectful manner when infestations are identified;
      4. ensure school staff are aware of infestations and possible outbreaks; and
      5. ensure any suspected infestations or outbreaks are managed in accordance with this policy.
   4. School staff must:
      1. be aware of this policy and support its implementation;
      2. avoid any unnecessary exclusion of students in line with NHMRC guidelines;
      3. refer any concerns or suspected infestations to the principal or delegated staff member;
      4. support classroom practices that reduce head-to-head contact where practical;
      5. work collaboratively with parents/carers and the broader school community to develop and implement school-level systems and practices to prevent and minimise the spread of head lice and mitigate the impact of outbreaks;
      6. assist with parents/carers with head lice management by providing practical advice and supporting timely treatment; and
      7. exercise sensitivity when responding to head lice infestations or outbreaks in the school setting by maintaining student confidentiality, being understanding, and avoiding stigmatising or blaming families who are finding it hard to control head lice.
   5. Students must:
      1. participate respectfully in school education activities related to head lice prevention;
      2. avoid behaviours that increase the risk of spreading head lice (e.g. head-to-head contact or sharing hairbrushes);
      3. inform a parent/carer or trusted adult if they suspect they have head lice; and
      4. treat other students with kindness and respect to avoid contributing to negative treatment or bullying.
   6. Volunteers and visitors must:
      1. be aware of this policy and support its implementation; and
      2. refer any concerns or suspected infestations to the principal or delegated staff member.
   7. The Policy Owner must deliver, monitor and review this policy. The Executive Branch Manager, Engagement and Wellbeing Support Services is the Policy Owner.
6. Monitoring and Review
   1. The Policy Owner monitors this policy. This includes an annual scan of operation and review. A full review of the policy will be conducted within a five-year period or earlier as required.
7. Contact
   1. For support contact Executive Branch Manager, Engagement and Wellbeing Support Services on (02) 6205 7029 or email EBMEWSS@act.gov.au.
8. Feedback
   1. Any feedback about this policy, should be raised with the Policy Owner. Refer to contact information above.
9. References
   1. Definitions
      • Directorate refers to ACT Education Directorate as an organisation, including all staff in schools and the Education Support Office.
      • Education Support Office (ESO) refers to the education support services of the ACT Education Directorate that do not reside in ACT public schools (e.g. system-level/corporate support).
      • Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are small parasitic, wingless insects that live mainly on the scalp and neck of a human host. Individual lice are called ‘louse’ and their eggs are called ‘nits’. Head lice do not have wings or jumping legs, so they cannot fly or jump from head-to-head. They can only crawl. They cannot transmit any infectious diseases. Direct contact is required for transmission from person to person, where head lice crawl from head-to-head. Head lice do not live or breed on animals, bedding, furniture, carpets, clothes or soft toys. They cannot spread by sharing hats.
      • Infestation refers to the presence of head lice and/or nits on an individual’s scalp.
      • Outbreak refers to widespread infestations (e.g. the presence of head lice and/or nits on several individuals in the school community). Infestations can become outbreaks if head lice spread between individuals.
      • Parents/carers are those with parental responsibility including guardians or other person having the care or custody of a child or children.
      • School Community includes all stakeholders associated with a school. This may include, but is not limited to students, staff, parents/carers, families, volunteers and visitors.
      • School/s is the general term used to include all ACT public schools and educational programs delivered by the ACT Education Directorate for school-age students on other sites, such as Birrigai and Muliyan. School-related educational institutions (or schools in special circumstances) established in the Education Act 2004 (ACT) are also included as part of this definition.
      • Student is a person who is enrolled in an ACT public school or related institution established under the Education Act 2004 (ACT).
      • Treatment refers to head lice treatment, as per the Healthdirect Head Lice webpage.
   2. Legislation
      • Education Act 2004 (ACT)
      • Public Health Regulation 2000 (ACT)
   3. Implementation Documents
      • Head Lice Procedures
      • Healthdirect Head Lice Webpage
      • Notification of Suspected Head Lice
      • Parental Advice Concerning Head Lice
   4. Related Policies and Information
      • Infectious Diseases – Outbreak Procedures and Exclusions Period Policy and Procedures
      • Staying Healthy Guidelines (National Health and Medical Research Council)
      • Working together with your school: A Code of Conduct to promote respectful interaction on ACT Education Directorate premises

Head Lice Policy: 00054 is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete version of the document, available on the Directorate’s website at http://www.education.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/school_and_corporate_policies/A-Z/.