From September 2026, schools across England will be expected to meet new statutory allergy guidance introduced through Benedict’s Law.

With around one in 13 children now living with a food allergy, the new guidance aims to ensure every school has consistent procedures in place to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and respond quickly and confidently if an emergency occurs.

Now is the time to review your school’s allergy procedures and prepare your staff.

What is Benedict’s Law?

Benedict’s Law follows the tragic death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after accidentally consuming food containing cow’s milk protein while at school.

Following a national campaign by Benedict’s family, the Government committed to introducing statutory allergy guidance for schools in England, helping to create safer learning environments for children with allergies.

The guidance applies to maintained schools, academies, independent schools and maintained nursery schools attached to schools. At present, private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nurseries are not included.

Getting your school ready for September 2026

Benedict’s Law represents an important step forward in protecting children with allergies. By ensuring your staff are trained, your policies are up to date and your emergency procedures are robust, your school can create a safer environment for pupils, staff and visitors alike.

Mini First Aid can help you achieve the staff training element with our 90-minute CPD Accredited course. If you’d like to discuss our Allergy & Anaphylaxis Awareness for Schools course or arrange training for your team, contact your local Mini First Aid trainer to find out more.

What will schools need to do?

The new guidance focuses on four key areas:

1. Publish a Whole-School Allergy Policy

Schools should have a dedicated allergy policy that is available to staff and published on the school website.

This should clearly explain how allergies are managed across the school, including risk reduction, emergency procedures, staff responsibilities and communication with parents. This should be a standalone allergy policy rather than simply a section within a medical conditions policy.

2. Train All Staff Every Year

From September 2026, annual allergy awareness training is expected for all school staff.

This includes anyone who may supervise children throughout the school day, including:

• Teachers
• Teaching assistants
• Lunchtime supervisors
• Office staff
• Senior leadership teams
• Caretakers and site staff
• Sports coaches
• Breakfast and after-school club staff
• Minibus drivers
• Volunteers

An allergic reaction can happen anywhere in school, so every member of staff should understand how to recognise the signs of an allergic reaction and know how to respond until further help arrives.

3. Hold Spare Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs)

Schools should keep spare, in-date adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) for emergency use.

These devices are not prescribed for an individual child. They are emergency medication that may be administered to a child or adult experiencing anaphylaxis in line with the statutory guidance.

Schools should ensure spare devices are:

• Stored in a central location known to all staff
• Easy to access in an emergency
• Protected from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures
• Checked regularly and replaced before they expire

For larger secondary schools or sites spread across multiple buildings, additional devices may be needed to ensure they can be accessed quickly during an emergency.

4. Maintain Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs)

Pupils with serious allergies should have an up-to-date Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) and Allergy Action Plan.

These should clearly set out:

• The child’s diagnosed allergies
• Signs and symptoms
• Emergency treatment
• Medication required
• Contact details
• Any reasonable adjustments

Staff should know where these plans are stored and be able to access them quickly if needed.

How can Mini First Aid help?

Our 90-minute CPD Accredited Allergy & Anaphylaxis Awareness for Schools course has been developed specifically to support schools following the Government formally passing Benedict’s Law in February 2026, introducing new statutory allergy guidance for schools in England through the Department for Education.

Suitable for whole-school staff, the course combines practical learning with scenario-based discussion to help delegates recognise allergic reactions, respond confidently in an emergency and safely administer adrenaline auto-injectors.

The course includes:

• Understanding allergies and anaphylaxis
• Common allergens
• Recognising allergic reactions
• Responding to anaphylaxis
• Practical adrenaline auto-injector training
• Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs)
• Reducing allergy risks across the school
• Benedict’s Law explained
• Scenario-based learning

Every delegate receives an individual CPD Accredited electronic certificate, and annual refresher training is recommended to help staff remain confident and up to date.

Training can be delivered during INSET days, twilight sessions or staff meetings, making it easy to fit around your school’s timetable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every member of staff need training?

Yes.

The expectation is that all staff have a basic awareness of allergies and know how to recognise the signs of anaphylaxis. An emergency could happen anywhere in school, meaning the nearest adult may not be a designated first aider.

Is online training enough?

Yes, provided staff also have the opportunity to practise using trainer adrenaline auto-injectors.

Many schools still choose face-to-face training because it allows staff to practise with trainer devices, ask questions and work through realistic school scenarios, helping to build confidence in responding to an emergency.

Should schools take spare adrenaline auto-injectors on school trips?

Children should always take their own prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors on educational visits.

Schools should carry out a risk assessment to decide whether spare emergency devices should also accompany the trip. Factors such as travel time, access to emergency medical care and the location of the visit should all be considered.

If spare devices are taken on the trip, schools should ensure sufficient emergency medication remains available for pupils remaining on site.

How many spare adrenaline auto-injectors does a school need?

Current recommendations are:

Mini First Aid can help you achieve the staff training element with our 90-minute CPD Accredited course.

Get in touch with your local Mini First Aid trainer to find out more.