Schools in England to get first dedicated allergy safety guidance from September

New statutory guidance aims to make schools safer for children with allergies, with training, emergency pens and care plans.

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Published: July 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM

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From September, schools across England will be expected to follow new statutory guidance designed to improve safety for children with allergies.

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The government says the changes, known as Benedict's Law, will introduce consistent expectations for schools, including access to emergency adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), staff training and clearer allergy policies, helping families feel more confident about sending their children to school.

The reforms follow years of campaigning by Helen and Peter Blythe after the death of their son, Benedict, and are intended to create a more consistent approach to allergy safety across England.

What will change for schools?

The new statutory guidance sets out what schools should have in place to support pupils with allergies. From September, schools will be expected to:

The government says the aim is to ensure children with allergies can take part in school life safely, regardless of where they attend school.

Schools have already begun preparing for the changes, for example partaking in training from The Allergy Team, a specialist organisation that supports schools with allergy training and policy guidance.

Sarah Knight, CEO of The Allergy Team, says: "Since the consultation began, we've supported thousands of teachers and school leaders through free webinars and training, and 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."

What is Benedict's Law?

Benedict's Law is named after Benedict Blythe, whose parents, Helen and Peter Blythe, have campaigned for stronger allergy protections in schools following his death.

The government says the new guidance is the first dedicated statutory allergy safety guidance for schools and is intended to create nationwide standards for allergy management.

Helen Blythe, co-founder of the Benedict Blythe Foundation, welcomed the announcement.

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.

Helen Blythe, Co-Founder of the Benedict Blythe Foundation

She added: "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."

Helen also said: "We are incredibly proud that Benedict's legacy will help protect generations of children to come."

What the government has said

Education Minister Olivia Bailey said the guidance should help give families greater reassurance.

She 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.

"This change is thanks to the tireless efforts of Helen and Peter Blythe, who have turned unimaginable tragedy into lasting change that will protect thousands of children for generations to come."

Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson also described the changes as a significant milestone.

"As Minister for Public Health, I know how life-threatening allergic reactions can be, and how quickly they can escalate. That is why having the right training, clear plans and life-saving adrenaline devices in every school is not a nice-to-have, it is essential. From this September, families can have the confidence that those protections will be in place wherever their child learns."

Allergies affect 40% of children

Allergy UK estimates that 40% children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy, with 1 in 12 children having a food allergy specifically.

The most common allergies in UK children are eczema, asthma, and hay fever. The foods that children are most commonly allergic to are:

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“An allergy diagnosis isn’t just a label, it’s the key to managing symptoms, preventing complications and improving quality of life. The earlier you recognise the signs and seek diagnosis, the better you can manage symptoms and take control of the condition,” Annette Weaver, a registered dietitian and clinical dietetic advisor at Allergy UK, says.

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