Schools in England are providing allergy awareness training for all staff for the first time, following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after being given milk at school. The landmark protections, backed by statutory guidance, have been introduced as part of 'Benedict's Law'.
1.5 million adults to receive training
The campaign, run by Benedict's mum Helen Blythe, will see 1.5 million adults learn how to recognise an allergic reaction and respond appropriately. The law will also require state institutions to provide allergy pen stock, compulsory training, and a dedicated allergy policy.
Parents Helen and Peter Blythe said: "This is a huge moment for our family and for every child living with allergies. Children starting school this September will enter one of the safest education systems in the world for pupils with allergies."
Parents urge schools to take changes seriously
The couple added: "Allergies shaped Benedict's short life and, ultimately, ended it. The law that carries his name will help stop that happening to other children. We know that schools are managing many competing demands, but keeping a child physically safe must rank among the very highest of their priorities which is why we urge every school to take these changes seriously."
"This cannot become a tick-box exercise - training must leave staff able to recognise a reaction and confident enough to act. Policies must guide what happens every day, and individual healthcare plans must be understood by the people caring for each child. Behind every requirement is a real child and a family relying on their school to get this right. The difference between an allergy policy that exists on paper and one that is properly understood and followed can be the difference between life and death."
Legal duty to extend in 2027
A legal duty covering all schools is due to take effect in 2027, extending the requirements to independent schools and fee-paying special schools. Benedict was given milk containing cow's milk protein by a teacher in 2021, despite his allergy being known to the school. An inquest jury later found multiple failings, including a lack of training, his allergies not being communicated to people providing his care, his symptoms not being recognised, and delays in administering his medication.
Benedict's family established the Benedict Blythe Foundation in his memory and have worked alongside allergy organisations, schools, clinicians, parliamentarians and the Government to campaign for national change. Research by the Foundation found that half of schools did not hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors and one in three had no allergy policy.
Helen added: "September is not the end of this campaign - it is the moment implementation begins. The success of Benedict's Law will not be measured by how many schools download a policy or record that training has been completed. It will be measured by whether children are safer, whether staff know what to do and whether parents can leave their children at the school gate knowing that every reasonable step has been taken to protect them."
