New statutory guidance requiring all schools in England to stock adrenaline auto-injectors and provide allergy training will come into force this September, the government has announced. The move, described as a 'landmark moment', follows a campaign by the parents of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who died after an anaphylactic reaction to cow's milk at his primary school in December 2021.
What the new rules require
Under the new guidance, schools must maintain a supply of adrenaline auto-injectors, also known as allergy pens, for emergency use. Teachers will be required to undergo allergy training to ensure they can respond quickly and confidently to allergic reactions. Schools must also develop and keep clear allergy policies and individual healthcare plans for affected pupils.
The government says the changes will bring consistent, nationwide standards, ensuring families of children with allergies 'can walk through the school gates with confidence'. Education minister Olivia Bailey said: 'Every child deserves to feel safe and included, but too many families have had to fight for basic protections that should simply be there. Today marks a significant moment for children with allergies and their families across the country - with Benedict’s Law making sure that every school has the training, plans and equipment needed to keep every child safe.'
Campaign for Benedict's Law
Benedict's parents, Helen and Peter Blythe, have campaigned tirelessly for the law in their son's memory. Helen Blythe, co-founder of the Benedict Blythe Foundation, said: 'This week marks a historic turning point for children with allergies and their families. For too long, whether a child was safe at school depended on where they happened to go. From September, schools across England will have clear national expectations on how they keep children with allergies safe.'
She added: 'The publication of this guidance is the beginning of a new era for allergy safety. It will improve the safety of hundreds of thousands of children and ensure around one and a half million adults working in schools have the knowledge and confidence to recognise an allergic reaction and respond quickly in an emergency. We are incredibly proud that Benedict's legacy will help protect generations of children to come.'
Support for schools
Sarah Knight, chief executive of The Allergy Team, a specialist organisation that supports schools with allergy training, said: 'As a parent of two school-aged children with allergies and co-founder of The Allergy Team, I know how much trust families place in schools every day. This guidance is an important step forward, giving schools greater clarity about how they can better protect children with allergies.'
Knight noted that since the consultation began, The Allergy Team has supported thousands of teachers and school leaders through free webinars and training. 'We’ll continue that work through the summer to help schools prepare for September’s guidance and the legislation that follows next year - building a safer, more inclusive environment for pupils with allergies and greater confidence for school staff.'
The announcement marks the first time dedicated statutory allergy safety guidance has been issued to schools in England.
