Special Diets
HC3S provides special diets for pupils with allergies who want to have a school meal. It should be noted that these special diets are for pupils with a medical problem, not just a dislike of certain food, and medical evidence of the child's allergy will be required.
The diets catered for are:
- Nut free
- Coeliac (Gluten And Wheat free)
- Dairy free
- Egg free
We work with the dietician to produce these specific diets. The products and areas of production are included in the analysis by the dietician to make sure products are suitable for children with these specific allergies, eg: nut free products are produced in a nut free environment. The products used in these diets are never substituted.
Children requiring a special diet are registered with HC3S by liaising with the parents/carers, school and catering staff to ensure the correct meal is provided.
It is the responsibility of the parents/carers to tell the school that their child has an allergy and also provide medical evidence, for example a letter from their GP or a consultant paediatrician, together with any information received from the state registered dietician.
Once the school has received this information they will tell the HC3S Unit Supervisor who will, in turn, discuss the requirement with their line manager.
The line manager will ask for an appropriate special diet menu from the Food Development Officer and then arrange a meeting with the dietician (if appropriate). The parent/carer and the Unit Supervisor will complete the registration form and will arrange the start date for the special diet.
Once the registration form has been completed, safe and unsafe food is identified. The registration form is returned to the Food Development Officer for our records and a copy kept in the kitchen.
The Unit Supervisor keeps details for all special diets children to make sure the appropriate food is prepared each day and given to the appropriate pupil.