01/06/2026
We have received three bookings so far today for Benedict's Law-compliant training. We have various packages in place to ensure Schools remain compliant from September. For further information, email: [email protected]
About Benedict’s Law
What is Benedict’s Law?
Benedict’s Law is a set of national protections designed to improve allergy safety in schools. Currently, these protections are agreed to come into force in England, but campaigning continues to extend to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These measures ensure that schools have the policies, training and emergency medication needed to recognise and respond to severe allergic reactions.
The measures were developed following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who died from anaphylaxis at school in 2021. His family established the Benedict Blythe Foundation and worked with clinicians, allergy charities and policymakers to lead a campaign for the government to address long-standing gaps in how schools manage life-threatening allergies. In 2026, the English Government confirmed that the principles of Benedict’s Law will be implemented through new statutory guidance on supporting children with medical conditions and allergies in schools, and will also be enshrined in primary legislation, making these protections part of the legal framework governing all schools in England.
What does Benedict’s Law require?
Benedict’s Law introduces a consistent national framework for allergy safety in schools. Core measures include:
Whole-school allergy policies setting out how schools manage allergies and respond to emergencies
Staff training so teachers and school staff can recognise and respond to anaphylaxis
Access to emergency adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) where needed
Individual healthcare or allergy action plans for pupils with diagnosed allergies
Improved communication and record-keeping around allergies and allergic reactions
These measures aim to ensure that every school has the systems in place to respond quickly and effectively to allergic emergencies.
Who does it apply to?
The measures currently apply to schools in England, including:
State-funded primary and secondary schools
Academies and free schools
Special schools and alternative provision settings
Independent schools
Benedict’s Law mandates that compulsory annual allergy awareness training covers all adults who supervise pupils outside of standard school hours.
This explicitly includes:
After-school clubs
Breakfast clubs
Wraparound Carers
UK Holiday clubs hosted on school premises
The statutory guidance sets national expectations for how schools support pupils with medical conditions and allergies, while legislation will place key safeguards within the legal framework governing education.
When will it come into force?
The Department for Education has launched a consultation on the new statutory guidance, allowing parents, teachers, clinicians and schools to provide feedback.
Following consultation, the Government will:
Publish final statutory guidance by July 2026
Introduce legislative provisions to place Benedict’s Law into primary legislation
Implement the new framework in schools
The protections are expected to come into force from September, giving schools time to prepare and implement the required measures.
Why this matters
Allergy is common, serious and potentially life-threatening in school settings.
Around two children in every classroom have an allergy
Schools are one of the most common locations for severe allergic reactions outside the home
Up to 30% of severe reactions occur in children with no prior diagnosis
Benedict’s Law aims to ensure that children with allergies can attend school safely and that staff have the knowledge and tools to respond quickly when emergencies occur.
