Allergy and Anaphylaxis Information September 2026
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 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 and independent schools.
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 launched a consultation on the new statutory guidance, allowing parents, teachers, clinicians and schools to provide feedback. Following consultation, the Government:
- Published final statutory guidance by July 2026
- Introduce legislative provisions to place Benedict’s Law into primary legislation
- Implemented 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 classroomhave 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.
Exe Valley and Moorsway Federation’s response to Benedict’s Law:
- A new Allergy and Anaphylaxis policy was agreed by governors in June 2026
- Staff training took place in mid-September so that everyone understands allergies and how to respond to an allergic or anaphylactic incident
- Two spare auto-injectors for under 7 year olds and over 7 year olds have been purchased for each school
- A lead governor has been appointed to oversee the implementation of Benedict’s law
- A dedicated recording file has been set up for each school to record near misses, training and drills. This will be audited by the lead governor for A&A
Children who have previously had allergic reactions and have auto-injectors have had care plans for some time. Schools will check these are up to date and keep records in one place of pupils who have allergies in a central file as well as in school kitchens.
School leaders have reviewed and revised the procedures around managing pupils with allergies and anaphylaxis as a result of the introduction of Benedict’s Law.
More information can be found at:
Benedict's Law - Benedict Blythe Foundation
About Anaphylaxis UK - Anaphylaxis UK
Stronger protections for children with allergies in school - GOV.UK