Allergy safety is set to become an even clearer priority for schools across England. Following the Government’s passing of Benedict’s Law, schools will be expected to take a proactive and consistent approach to allergy awareness, prevention and emergency response, with statutory guidance on allergy safety expected to be fully in place by September 2026.
For schools and trusts, the key question is not simply whether an allergy policy exists, but whether staff understand it and can put it into practice.
What Is Benedict’s Law?
Benedict’s Law is the name widely used for the campaign to strengthen allergy safety in schools following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe after an allergic reaction at school in 2021.
Its aim is to create a clearer and more consistent approach to managing allergies, with greater emphasis on prevention, staff awareness and confident emergency response. In practice, allergy safety needs to become part of everyday school procedures rather than something considered only after an incident.
What Will Schools Need to Consider?
As schools review their approach, key areas include:
- having a clear, up-to-date allergy policy and making responsibilities clear
- identifying pupils with allergies and communicating individual arrangements to relevant staff
- training staff to recognise reactions and understand how exposure and cross-contact can happen
- having clear emergency procedures, including for anaphylaxis and access to medication
- reviewing incidents and near misses so lessons can be learned
For trusts and larger school groups, consistency across sites and teams will be particularly important.
Why Getting It Wrong Matters
The welfare of pupils is the main reason to get allergy safety right, but the legal risk matters too. Inspectors can consider allergy safety policies and how well they are implemented as part of safeguarding. Serious incidents may also need to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR where the reporting criteria are met.
A breach of Benedict’s Law is not automatically a criminal offence. However, a serious failure may also engage wider health and safety duties and the common law duty of care. Depending on the circumstances, that can lead to complaints, civil claims, enforcement action and, where a separate criminal threshold is met, prosecution. For leaders and governors, allergy safety is now a governance and risk-management priority, not simply good practice.
The importance of Allergy Awareness
Food allergies can range from mild symptoms to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. Risks can arise well beyond the dining hall – from snacks and celebrations to cooking activities, trips, clubs and shared equipment.
Allergy safety therefore cannot sit with one person. A shared level of awareness across teaching, support and leadership teams can help staff reduce avoidable risks, recognise when something is wrong and respond appropriately.
Training as Part of Preparation
Training is only one part of a school’s wider allergy safety approach, but it can help turn policy into everyday practice. Staff need a practical understanding of food allergies, hidden allergens, cross-contact and the signs of an allergic reaction, alongside knowledge of the school’s own procedures.
Our Food Allergen Awareness course is designed to support that foundation. By the end of it, learners will be able to:
- outline Benedict’s Law and what it entails
- understand food allergy and how it differs from food intolerance
- recognise allergic reactions, hidden allergens and common food triggers
- follow best practice to avoid cross-contact and understand how to respond to anaphylaxis
Speak to our team of learning experts to view a demo of the course for free.
The course does not replace a school’s own policy, emergency arrangements or pupil-specific plans. Instead, it can help give staff a consistent baseline of knowledge so those procedures are easier to understand and apply.
What Can Schools Do Now?
Start by reviewing what is already in place. Is your allergy policy current and understood? Are individual needs communicated clearly? Do staff know what to do in an emergency, and is training consistent across roles and sites?
Benedict’s Law is about making allergy safety more proactive and consistent. If your school or trust is reviewing its approach, our updated Food Allergy Awareness course can form one practical part of that wider preparation. If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch.
If you’d like to speak to an expert please contact enquiries@melearning.co.uk or call us on 01273 091 301
