Benedict’s Law Explained: What It Means for Allergy Training in Schools
What is Benedict’s Law?
Benedict’s Law is the name for new statutory guidance and legal duties that make schools in England safer for pupils with allergies. It is not a standalone Act of Parliament. Instead, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 contains its protections. The government published matching statutory guidance for schools on allergy safety in July 2026, ahead of the September 2026 start date.
In practice, allergy management used to be good practice that some schools followed well and others did not. Benedict’s Law turns it into a consistent set of duties that every school must meet.
Why was Benedict’s Law introduced?
The law honours Benedict Blythe, a five-year-old boy from Lincolnshire. He died in December 2021 after an allergic reaction at his primary school, caused by accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein, an allergen his school knew he had. An inquest later found that staff had not followed all of the school’s safeguards, and that they had delayed giving adrenaline.
Benedict’s parents, Helen and Peter Blythe, founded the Benedict Blythe Foundation. For several years, they campaigned alongside allergy charities and clinicians for consistent, nationwide allergy safeguards in schools. That campaign is now shaping government policy.
What does Benedict’s Law require schools to do?
The statutory guidance sets out five core duties for schools.
- A published, whole-school allergy policy. Schools can no longer fold allergies into a general medical conditions policy alone; they need a dedicated policy setting out how they prevent and respond to allergic reactions.
- Allergy awareness training for all staff. Anyone likely to be on site with pupils needs this training, including teaching, catering, admin, cleaning, breakfast club and after-school club staff, not just first aiders or the school nurse.
- Spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) on site. Schools will need to stock emergency adrenaline pens, in addition to any pupil’s own prescribed device.
- Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs). Pupils need an IHP if their allergy affects their time in school, carries a risk of harm, or needs arrangements beyond the ordinary. They don’t need a formal diagnosis to have one.
- Better incident recording and review. Schools must record allergic reactions and near misses properly, and learn from them, rather than treating each incident in isolation.
Who does Benedict’s Law apply to?
The statutory guidance applies to local authority-maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England. Independent schools face equivalent requirements. It does not currently extend to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, although campaigners continue to push for that to change. Early years settings sit outside the statutory guidance for now, though many already have allergy-related duties under the EYFS.
Around two children in every classroom in England have an allergy, and up to 30% of severe reactions happen in pupils with no prior diagnosis. That is why the guidance treats allergy awareness as something the whole school community needs, not just a specialist few. This sits alongside your wider safeguarding training responsibilities rather than replacing them.
When does Benedict’s Law come into force?
The statutory guidance takes effect from September 2026. Schools should start reviewing their policies, training and emergency medication well before then, rather than waiting until the new term begins.
What should whole-staff allergy training cover?
To meet the spirit of Benedict’s Law, training needs to go beyond a general awareness talk. Good whole-staff allergy training should cover:
- The difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance
- The 14 major food allergens staff need to be able to recognise
- How to spot the signs of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis
- How to respond to an allergic emergency and when to call 999
- How to use adrenaline auto-injectors such as EpiPen and Jext safely
- The school’s allergy policy, the role of the Allergy Lead, and how Individual Healthcare Plans work day to day
We’ve updated our Allergen and Anaphylaxis Management course for 2026 to reflect Benedict’s Law. It covers all of the above in around 20 to 30 minutes, and emails a certificate instantly on completion.
How can schools start preparing?
- Review or write a standalone allergy policy, rather than relying on a general medical conditions policy
- Check which pupils need an Individual Healthcare Plan and update any that are out of date
- Order spare adrenaline auto-injectors so they are in place before September
- Book whole-staff allergy training so every member of staff, not just first aiders, can recognise and respond to a reaction
- Agree how allergy incidents and near misses will be recorded and reviewed
Frequently asked questions
Benedict’s Law is new statutory guidance requiring English schools to have a whole-school allergy policy, allergy awareness training for all staff, spare adrenaline auto-injectors, and Individual Healthcare Plans for pupils who need them, from September 2026.
It applies to local authority-maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, with equivalent requirements for independent schools. It has not yet been adopted in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Training should cover the 14 major food allergens, the difference between allergies and intolerances, recognising anaphylaxis, responding to an allergic emergency, using adrenaline auto-injectors safely, and understanding the school’s allergy policy and Individual Healthcare Plans.
The statutory guidance takes effect from September 2026. Schools are encouraged to review their policies, training and emergency medication well before the new term starts.
Yes. Our Allergen and Anaphylaxis Management course has been updated for 2026 to reflect Benedict’s Law, covering whole-staff allergy awareness, using adrenaline auto-injectors, and your school’s policy and Individual Healthcare Plan responsibilities.
Want to get your whole staff ready for Benedict’s Law? Find out about our Allergen and Anaphylaxis Management course or get in touch to talk through bulk training for your school.