BENEDICT’S LAW is being rolled out in schools across England, in a bid to strengthen protections for children with allergies.
However, campaigning continues to extend to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
A Move for Change
Earlier this year, the government announced that life-saving allergy pens must be stocked by schools for the first time under new plans.
The move also saw compulsory training for teachers and a requirement for each school to have a dedicated allergy policy.
The change was initiated following campaigning from the Benedict Blythe Foundation and the National Allergy Strategy Group.
Provisions will replace previous non-statutory advice and a consultation on new guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions and allergies, that ran from 5th March to 15th May, is set to come into force in England in September 2026.
Benedict’s Law
Benedict’s Law is a set of national protections designed to improve allergy safety in schools, ensuring there are policies, training, and emergency medication in place to response to severe allergic reactions.
The measures were developed following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe due to anaphylaxis in 2021.
This year, the English Government has confirmed that the principles of Benedict’s Law will be implemented through the new plans and enshrined in primary legislation.
Some schools in England are already implementing the provisions.
Danielle Thackray, School Business Manager, Walbottle Village Primary School, Newcastle, UK, said: “Investing in allergy training has been absolutely necessary for our school.
“We have eight children with allergies, including one severe case, and while we always had healthcare plans in place, the structured training, emergency drills, and support with policies have taken our procedures to the next level.”
New Statutory Requirements
Under the new statutory requirements, schools must now:
- Stock “spare” adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) for use in emergency situations
- Provide allergy awareness training for all staff – covering recognition of symptoms, emergency response and the use of adrenaline devices – alongside improved incident recording and lessons learnt processes
- Have a comprehensive policy for supporting children with medical conditions, including Individual Healthcare Plans to record specific arrangements for individuals like an allergy management plan
The guidance aims to standardise practise, alongside the government’s open call to businesses to support with costs of, for example, AAIs.
Thackray continued: “For an annual cost, ever member of staff is trained as soon as they join, we run scenario drills, and we’ve strengthened everything from lunchtime checks to school trip risk assessments – it gives our teachers real confidence in keeping children safe.
“The AAIs and training are an expense, but they are worth every penny for the peace of mind they give parents and staff, knowing we are fully prepared should the worst happen.”
Reference
Benedict Blythe Foundation. Benedict’s Law. 2026. Available at: https://benedictblythe.com/benedicts-law/. Last accessed: 2 July 2026.
Featured image: Rido on Adobe Stock
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