25/05/2026
Is Your School Fully Prepared?
In February 2026, the Government formally passed Benedict’s Law, committing to introduce mandatory, statutory allergy guidance for schools in England through the Department for Education.
Schools are now expected to take clear, demonstrable action to improve allergy awareness, prevention, and emergency response. This represents a major step toward consistent, life-saving protections in every school, not optional best practice but expected compliance for all schools in England.
The new statutory guidance is being consulted on and published in summer 2026 ahead of wider implementation in September, bringing schools closer than ever to formalising the core aims of Benedict’s Law.
Key Requirements
Whole-School Allergy Policy: Schools must develop and publish a comprehensive allergy policy, separate from general medical conditions policies, and make it publicly accessible on their website.
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Staff Training: All school staff, including teachers, caretakers, and support personnel, must receive training in allergy awareness and emergency response, including recognizing anaphylaxis and using adrenaline auto-injectors.
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Emergency Medication: Schools are required to hold spare, in-date adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) on site for use in emergencies, available for any child or adult experiencing anaphylaxis.
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Individual Care Plans: Pupils with serious allergies must have personalized healthcare and action plans detailing how to manage their condition and respond to emergencies.