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Allergy Safety in Schools: What Schools Need to Know

Friday 4th September, 2026

For children with allergies, feeling safe and included at school depends on everyone understanding how allergies should be managed. A serious allergic reaction can develop quickly, making effective policies, trained staff, and clear emergency procedures essential.

In July 2026, the Department for Education published statutory ‘Allergy Safety in Schools’ guidance, establishing minimum standards for state-funded schools in England. Introduced following the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and often referred to as Benedict’s Law, the requirements aim to create a more consistent, whole-school approach to allergy safety.

What do Schools Need to Do?

Schools should have a dedicated allergy safety policy that is regularly reviewed and published on their website. It should explain how allergy risks are managed, set out emergency procedures and staff responsibilities, and cover communication with parents, carers, and healthcare professionals.

Staff should also receive allergy awareness training, including how to recognise common allergies and anaphylaxis, reduce exposure to allergens, respond to an allergic reaction, and administer an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI).

It is important to note that practitioners should practise using a AAI trainer device (a reusable, non-medicated practice tool that contains no needle or adrenaline) while completing allergy awareness training, so they gain experience of how the device works.

Schools need systems for identifying pupils with allergies as early as possible and, where active management is required, an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) should be in place. This should provide staff with essential information about the child's allergens, symptoms, emergency treatment, medication, and arrangements for activities such as trips and clubs.

Schools should also keep spare adrenaline auto-injectors on site and ensure relevant staff know how to access, store, and use them in an emergency.

Prevention, Emergency Response, and Inclusion

Good allergy management is not simply about responding to emergencies. Schools should reduce risks through measures such as effective food management, cleaning procedures, communication with catering providers, and careful management of activities involving food.

The guidance discourages blanket food bans unless supported by a risk assessment.

If an allergic reaction does occur, staff should be able to recognise the signs quickly, administer adrenaline where required, call 999 without delay, and monitor the pupil until emergency services arrive.

Allergy safety should also extend beyond the classroom. Trips, clubs, celebrations, sports, and other activities should be planned so children with allergies can participate safely. Appropriate risk assessments, access to medication, and clear communication with supervising staff and external providers are key.

A Whole-School Approach

The key message is that allergy safety is a whole-school responsibility.

Clear policies, trained staff, individual plans, accessible emergency medication, and robust procedures can reduce risk while ensuring children with allergies are not unnecessarily excluded from school life.

With the new requirements now in place, this is a good opportunity for schools to review their current approach and ask:

• Are our staff, policies, and procedures ready to respond effectively to an allergy emergency?

Want to strengthen your staff's understanding of allergy safety? Explore our Allergy Awareness for Schools short course and help your team feel more confident in recognising, preventing, and responding to allergic reactions.