Guidance | Allergy Safety in Schools

Introduction

In July 2026, the Department for Education published new statutory guidance on Allergy Safety in Schools. The guidance strengthens expectations around how schools identify, manage and respond to allergies and anaphylaxis. It reflects growing awareness of the increasing number of children and young people living with allergies and the potentially life-threatening consequences of allergic reactions. The guidance makes clear that allergy safety is not simply a medical issue. It is also a safeguarding, health and safety, equality and inclusion responsibility.

The publication of this statutory guidance follows significant national campaigning by the family of Benedict Blythe following his death from anaphylaxis at school in 2021. Often referred to as 'Benedict's Law', the campaign called for stronger and more consistent allergy safety arrangements within schools. The subsequent Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 introduced new allergy safety duties, which are now supported by this statutory guidance.

Schools must ensure that children and young people with allergies are safe, supported and fully included in all aspects of school life. Leaders, teachers, support staff, catering teams, trip leaders and volunteers all have a role to play in creating an allergy-aware environment.

The Context

The guidance has been issued following amendments to the Children and Families Act 2014 through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. These changes require maintained schools, academies and PRUs to have a dedicated allergy safety policy, make it available to stakeholders and keep it under regular review. Schools must "have regard" to the statutory guidance when developing and implementing their arrangements.

The need for robust arrangements is clear. Around one in five children who experience an allergic reaction have their first reaction whilst attending an educational setting. This means schools cannot focus only on pupils with known allergies. All staff need to understand the signs of allergic reactions and know how to respond appropriately in an emergency.

The guidance also highlights the close link between allergies and asthma. Many children who are at risk of anaphylaxis also have asthma, and evidence from child mortality reviews shows that this combination can significantly increase risk.

Who does the guidance apply to?

The guidance is statutory for:

· Maintained schools.

· Academies and free schools.

· Alternative provision academies.

· Pupil Referral Units (PRUs).

Although not currently statutory for independent schools and non-maintained special schools, the Government has stated its intention to introduce equivalent requirements. The guidance is also useful for early years settings, further education providers and specialist settings.

Understanding Allergy Safety

The guidance adopts a broad understanding of allergy. Whilst many people immediately think of food allergies, schools may also need to support children and young people with asthma, hay fever, eczema, allergies to animal fur, insect stings, medication allergies and other allergic conditions.

A key message is that most allergic reactions are not life-threatening. However, some reactions can develop into anaphylaxis, which is a severe and potentially fatal reaction affecting the airway, breathing or circulation. For this reason, all reactions should be taken seriously and monitored appropriately.

The guidance stresses that schools should not rely solely on identifying known allergies. Effective arrangements must be capable of responding to both known and unexpected allergic reactions.

Allergy Safety Policies and Leadership Responsibilities

One of the most significant changes introduced by the guidance is the requirement for schools to have a dedicated allergy safety policy.

This policy should explain how the school identifies pupils with allergies, reduces the risk of allergen exposure, supports pupils with medical needs, manages emergencies and promotes inclusion. It should also clarify how information is shared with staff, how Individual Healthcare Plans are managed and how incidents are reported and reviewed.

The guidance recommends that a named member of the senior leadership team is given responsibility for allergy safety. This person should drive implementation, monitor compliance and lead regular reviews of the school's arrangements. Allergy safety should also be considered within wider risk management and safeguarding systems.

Inspection bodies may consider how effectively schools manage medical conditions and allergy safety as part of their evaluation of safeguarding arrangements.

Individual Healthcare Plans

Children and young people whose allergy require specific support arrangements should have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP).

These plans should clearly identify:

· Known allergens and triggers.

· Symptoms and warning signs.

· Medication requirements.

· Emergency procedures.

· Staff responsibilities.

· Arrangements for trips, visits and extracurricular activities.

Healthcare plans should be developed collaboratively with parents, carers, pupils and healthcare professionals where appropriate. They should be reviewed regularly and whenever a pupil's circumstances change.

Recognising and Responding to Allergic Reactions

All staff should be able to recognise the signs of both mild allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

Mild symptoms may include swelling of the lips, skin rashes, hives, itching, abdominal pain, vomiting or a sudden change in behaviour. Whilst these symptoms may appear less serious, the guidance notes that reactions can escalate and should always be monitored.

Anaphylaxis affects the airway, breathing or circulation and requires an immediate emergency response. Signs may include breathing difficulties, wheezing, throat swelling, dizziness, collapse or loss of consciousness. Staff are advised that if there is doubt about whether a reaction is anaphylaxis, it is safer to treat it as anaphylaxis and administer adrenaline. Delays in administering adrenaline have been linked to fatal outcomes.

Importantly, a child who is experiencing a severe allergic reaction should never be sent to seek help alone. The guidance is clear that help and medication should come to the child, not the other way around.

Staff Training and Awareness

The guidance places considerable emphasis on training. Schools should ensure that all staff receive regular allergy awareness and emergency response training, including temporary staff, volunteers, support staff and catering personnel. First aid training alone is not considered sufficient.

Training should help staff understand:

· The different types of allergy.

· The relationship between allergy and asthma.

· The difference between allergy, intolerance and coeliac disease.

· How to recognise allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

· How to use adrenaline devices.

· Emergency procedures and reporting processes.

· Their role in reducing allergen exposure.

Staff confidence is critical. During an emergency, acting quickly can save a life and the guidance reassures staff that those who take reasonable action in good faith to save a life are legally protected.

Preventing Exposure to Allergens

The best emergency response is often the one that is never needed. Schools are therefore expected to take reasonable steps to reduce exposure to allergens.

This includes considering allergens in lessons, enrichment activities, educational visits, practical subjects and food provision. Common classroom resources such as play dough, bird seed, packaging materials, glues and cooking ingredients may all present risks for some pupils.

The guidance emphasises that children should not be excluded from activities because of their allergy. Instead, schools should make reasonable adjustments and adapt activities so that all pupils can participate safely alongside their peers.

Food Safety and Catering

Food allergy management is a major focus of the guidance. Schools providing food must comply with food information legislation, including the requirement to provide accurate allergen information. Catering arrangements should ensure that risks are identified, minimised and managed effectively.

The guidance also challenges the effectiveness of "nut-free" policies. Whilst schools may choose to discourage particular allergens on site, the Department for Education recommends creating an "allergy-aware" culture rather than relying on policies which may create a false sense of security. The focus should remain on awareness, risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

Wellbeing, Inclusion and Safeguarding

A particularly welcome aspect of the guidance is its recognition of the emotional impact allergies can have on children and young people.

Living with the possibility of a severe allergic reaction can create significant anxiety for pupils and their families. Schools should therefore provide reassurance, encourage participation and ensure that pupils with allergies feel safe and included.

The guidance also highlights allergy-related bullying. This may range from teasing and exclusion to more serious behaviours such as deliberately exposing someone to a known allergen or threatening to do so. Such behaviours should be treated seriously and addressed through safeguarding, behaviour and anti-bullying procedures.

Creating an allergy-aware culture benefits everyone. It supports safety while also reducing anxiety and promoting inclusion.

Safer Eating and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Although the statutory guidance primarily applies to maintained schools, academies and PRUs, it recognises the importance of safe eating practices within early years provision. Young children may be less able to recognise allergens, communicate symptoms or manage risks independently. Settings should therefore have robust supervision, clear food safety procedures, effective communication with parents and carers, and arrangements that minimise the risk of allergen exposure whilst helping children develop safe eating habits and increasing independence appropriate to their age and stage of development.

Staff and Visitors with Allergies

Whilst much of the guidance focuses on pupils, schools should also consider the needs of staff and visitors with known allergies. Allergy safety policies should explain how information can be shared appropriately, how risks can be reduced and what support is available in an emergency. Schools have wider duties under health and safety legislation to take reasonable steps to protect employees and others on the premises from foreseeable risks, including those associated with severe allergies and anaphylaxis.

Learning from Incidents and "Near Misses"

The guidance highlights the importance of recording, reviewing and learning from both serious incidents and "near misses". A near miss may be an event where a pupil was exposed, or nearly exposed, to an allergen but harm was avoided through chance, intervention or timely identification of the risk. Schools should investigate such events, identify contributing factors and use the findings to strengthen policies, procedures, training and risk assessments. Developing a culture of learning rather than blame can help prevent future incidents and improve the overall safety of children and young people with allergies.

Actions for School Leaders

School leaders should:

· Review existing policies against the new guidance.

· Appoint a senior leader with responsibility for allergy safety.

· Ensure allergy risks are reflected within risk management arrangements.

· Audit Individual Healthcare Plans.

· Review emergency medication arrangements.

· Ensure annual staff training is in place.

· Strengthen procedures for reporting incidents and near misses.

· Promote an inclusive, allergy-aware culture across the school.

· Review arrangements for trips, visits and extracurricular activities.

· Ensure the allergy safety policy is published and regularly reviewed.

Actions for all staff

All staff should:

· Know which pupils have significant allergies.

· Understand relevant Healthcare Plans.

· Know where emergency medication is located.

· Recognise signs of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

· Respond promptly to concerns.

· Report incidents and near misses.

· Support inclusion and challenge allergy-related bullying.

· Consider allergy risks when planning classroom activities and visits.

· Never leave a pupil experiencing an allergic reaction unattended.

Key Takeaway

The new statutory guidance makes it clear that allergy safety is everyone's responsibility. Schools are expected to move beyond simple awareness and adopt a whole-school approach that combines prevention, preparedness, inclusion and effective emergency response. By developing strong policies, training staff, involving families and creating an allergy-aware culture, schools can significantly reduce risk while helping children and young people with allergies participate fully and confidently in school life.

Support

Department for Education: Allergy Safety in Schools Statutory Guidance

DfE Template Allergy Safety Policy

DfE Template Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) for Allergy

Spare Adrenaline in Schools

British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI)

Allergy Training and Support for Schools

Allergy School

AllergyWise in Education

Asthma + Lung UK

Food Standards Agency (FSA)

Emergency Asthma Inhalers for Use in Schools