School Allergy Policy: What Should Be Included? A Practical Guide for Schools
- Slanjava Learning Ltd.
- 17 hours ago
- 9 min read
School Allergy Policy Template, Allergy Management and Benedict's Law
With increasing awareness of allergies and anaphylaxis, many schools, academy trusts, nurseries, colleges, and childcare providers are reviewing their allergy management arrangements.
The proposed introduction of Benedict's Law in England has prompted many educational settings to ask:
Do we need a school allergy policy?
What should a school allergy policy include?
Is our current policy sufficient?
How can we demonstrate effective allergy management?
What evidence would governors, commissioners, inspectors, or local authorities expect to see?
Whether you are preparing for future guidance changes, reviewing your existing arrangements, or seeking to improve pupil safety, a comprehensive school allergy policy is an important part of supporting children and young people with allergies and anaphylaxis.
Why Schools Are Reviewing Their School Allergy Policy in 2026
Allergies affect a growing number of children and young people across the UK. While schools cannot eliminate all allergy risks, they have an important role in reducing foreseeable risks and responding appropriately when emergencies occur.
Recent developments surrounding Benedict's Law have highlighted the importance of:
Whole-school allergy management.
Staff awareness and training.
Individual healthcare planning.
Access to emergency medication.
Effective communication with families.
Clear emergency procedures.
The proposed guidance has also encouraged schools to review whether existing policies adequately address allergy management and emergency preparedness (Department for Education, 2026).
In addition, school leaders, governors, academy trusts, commissioners, and local authorities are increasingly seeking assurance that arrangements for supporting pupils with allergies are robust, proportionate, and evidence based.
What Is a School Allergy Policy?
A school allergy policy is a document that outlines how an educational setting identifies, assesses, manages, and responds to allergy-related risks.
An effective policy helps ensure consistency across the organisation and provides guidance for:
Staff
Pupils
Parents and carers
Volunteers
Contractors
Catering providers
Educational visit leaders
Governors and trustees
The policy should align with wider arrangements for safeguarding, health and safety, equality, inclusion, and supporting pupils with medical conditions (Department for Education, 2015).
What Should Be Included in a School Allergy Policy?
Policy Statement and Commitment
The policy should explain the school's commitment to:
Supporting pupils with allergies.
Promoting inclusion.
Reducing foreseeable risks.
Responding effectively to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Working collaboratively with families and healthcare professionals.
Roles and Responsibilities
Clear responsibilities should be identified for:
School Leadership
Responsible for:
Implementing the policy.
Allocating resources.
Supporting staff training.
Monitoring compliance.
Staff
Responsible for:
Following healthcare plans.
Understanding allergy risks.
Recognising allergic reactions.
Following emergency procedures.
Parents and Carers
Responsible for:
Providing accurate information.
Supplying medication.
Informing the school of changes.
Pupils
Where appropriate, pupils should be encouraged to understand and manage their own allergies safely.
Individual Healthcare Plans
Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) are one of the most important elements of allergy management (Department for Education, 2015).
Plans should include:
Confirmed allergens.
Signs and symptoms.
Medication requirements.
Emergency treatment instructions.
Contact information.
Educational visit arrangements.
Plans should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever circumstances change.
Emergency Medication Arrangements
Policies should explain:
Where medication is stored.
How medication is accessed.
Responsibilities for checking expiry dates.
Arrangements for educational visits.
Availability of spare adrenaline auto-injectors.
Schools in England may obtain spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergency use under current legislation (Department of Health and Social Care, 2017).
Staff Training
Staff training is one of the most important controls for managing allergy risks.
Training should cover:
Allergy awareness.
Recognition of allergic reactions.
Recognition of anaphylaxis.
Administration of adrenaline auto-injectors.
Emergency response procedures.
Incident reporting.
Schools should maintain training records and consider refresher training to ensure competence remains current.
Communication Arrangements
The policy should explain how information is communicated between:
Staff.
Parents and carers.
Healthcare professionals.
Supply staff.
Volunteers.
Catering providers.
Good communication is often one of the most effective ways of reducing risk.
Allergy Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Allergy risks should be considered as part of wider health and safety arrangements.
Risk assessments may include:
Classroom activities.
Food technology lessons.
School trips.
Educational visits.
Catering arrangements.
School events.
Breakfast clubs.
After-school activities.
Risk assessments should be proportionate and focus on reducing foreseeable risks while supporting inclusion.
Educational Visits and School Trips
The policy should explain how allergies are managed during:
School trips.
Residential visits.
Sporting events.
Off-site learning activities.
Risk assessments should consider access to medication, staff competence, emergency arrangements, and venue-specific risks.
Incident Reporting and Review
All allergy incidents should be recorded and reviewed.
Following an incident, schools should consider:
What happened.
Whether procedures were followed.
Whether additional controls are required.
Whether further training is necessary.
Policy Review
Policies should be reviewed:
Annually.
Following significant incidents.
Following changes to guidance or legislation.
Following changes in pupil healthcare needs.
School Allergy Policy Template: Key Sections
A well-written school allergy policy should typically include:
Policy statement.
Roles and responsibilities.
Healthcare plans.
Medication arrangements.
Staff training.
Risk assessments.
Emergency procedures.
Incident reporting.
Educational visits.
Monitoring and review arrangements.
Policies should be practical documents that support day-to-day decision making rather than simply existing to meet compliance requirements.
Common Gaps Found in School Allergy Arrangements
When reviewing allergy management arrangements, schools often identify gaps such as:
Outdated healthcare plans.
Expired adrenaline auto-injectors.
Inconsistent staff training records.
Lack of arrangements for supply staff.
Limited communication with catering providers.
Insufficient consideration of allergies during educational visits.
Unclear emergency procedures.
Policies that have not been reviewed for several years.
Identifying and addressing these gaps can significantly improve preparedness and confidence.
What Might Governors, Commissioners and Inspectors Look For?
While requirements vary depending on the organisation and inspection framework, evidence of effective allergy management may include:
A current school allergy policy.
Individual Healthcare Plans.
Staff training records.
Educational visit risk assessments.
Medication management procedures.
Incident reporting arrangements.
Communication with parents and carers.
Evidence of policy review and governance oversight.
Commissioners and school leaders are increasingly looking for evidence that policies are not simply written documents but are implemented effectively in practice.
School Allergy Policy Checklist
When reviewing your arrangements, consider whether you can answer "yes" to the following:
Allergy policy reviewed within the last 12 months
Individual Healthcare Plans in place
Medication available and in date
Staff trained appropriately
Educational visit procedures reviewed
Emergency procedures documented
Catering arrangements considered
Incident reporting process established
Parents and carers consulted
Risk assessments completed
Governors or trustees informed
Policy review schedule established
Allergy Management in Schools: Best Practice Considerations
Effective allergy management in schools goes beyond having a written policy.
Schools should consider:
Promoting a culture of awareness and inclusion.
Regularly reviewing healthcare plans.
Maintaining staff competence through refresher training.
Ensuring emergency medication remains accessible.
Including allergies within wider health and safety arrangements.
Consulting with parents and carers.
Reviewing incidents and learning from experience.
Ensuring arrangements remain proportionate and practical.
Strong allergy management arrangements can improve safety, increase staff confidence, and support pupils to participate fully in school life.
What Does Benedict's Law Mean for School Allergy Policies?
While the final statutory guidance is still awaited, the proposals associated with Benedict's Law place significant emphasis on:
Whole-school allergy policies.
Staff training.
Emergency preparedness.
Healthcare planning.
Access to emergency medication.
Schools reviewing their allergy arrangements now may be better positioned to meet future requirements if the proposed guidance is implemented (Department for Education, 2026).
What About Scotland?
At the time of writing, Benedict's Law applies to proposed guidance in England.
Scottish schools currently follow existing guidance on supporting children and young people with healthcare needs in schools (Scottish Government, 2017).
However, many of the principles being promoted through Benedict's Law, including healthcare planning, staff training, communication, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness, are already recognised as examples of good practice and may help strengthen existing arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Allergy Policies
Is an allergy policy a legal requirement in schools?
While specific requirements vary, schools are expected to have arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions and managing foreseeable risks. A school allergy policy is widely recognised as good practice.
Should schools be nut-free?
There is no universal requirement for schools to be nut-free. Decisions should be based on individual circumstances and risk assessments.
Can schools keep spare adrenaline auto-injectors?
Schools in England may obtain spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergency use under current legislation (Department of Health and Social Care, 2017).
How often should staff receive allergy training?
There is no single prescribed frequency. Schools should consider the needs of their pupils, staff roles, and local arrangements. Refresher training may help maintain competence and confidence.
What should be included in an Individual Healthcare Plan?
Healthcare plans should include allergens, symptoms, medication requirements, emergency procedures, and relevant contact information.
Download a Free School Allergy Policy Template
To support schools reviewing their arrangements, we have developed a comprehensive School Allergy Management Policy Template based on current guidance and recognised good practice.
The template includes:
Policy statement
Roles and responsibilities
Individual Healthcare Plans
Emergency medication arrangements
Staff training requirements
Risk assessment guidance
Educational visits considerations
Incident reporting procedures
Policy review arrangements
Download your free School Allergy Policy Template here:
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Training for Schools
Having a well-written school allergy policy is only one part of effective allergy management. Staff must also have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise and respond appropriately to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Training can help schools demonstrate a proactive approach to pupil safety, support implementation of healthcare plans, and ensure staff understand their responsibilities in an emergency.
At Slanjava Learning Ltd, we provide practical, engaging training designed specifically for schools, nurseries, colleges, childcare providers, and other educational settings. Our training focuses on developing confidence through realistic scenarios, practical demonstrations, and discussion of common challenges faced within educational environments.
Basic Life Support, Automated External Defibrillation and the Management of Anaphylaxis for Adults, Children and Infants (SCQF Level 6 / RQF Level 3)
This accredited course is ideal for staff who may need to respond to medical emergencies within educational settings.
Topics include:
Recognition and management of anaphylaxis.
Safe use of adrenaline auto-injectors.
Adult, child and infant basic life support.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness and use.
Choking management.
Emergency response procedures.
This course is particularly suitable for teachers, classroom assistants, support staff, office staff, lunchtime supervisors, and designated first aiders.
Immediate Management of Anaphylaxis (SCQF Level 6 / RQF Level 3)
This accredited course focuses specifically on the recognition and emergency management of severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Topics include:
Common allergy triggers.
Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions.
Recognising anaphylaxis.
Emergency treatment procedures.
Administration of adrenaline auto-injectors.
Post-incident actions and reporting.
This course may be particularly beneficial for schools seeking to strengthen allergy awareness and preparedness in response to emerging guidance and best practice.
Paediatric First Aid (SCQF Level 6 / RQF Level 3)
Designed for those working with infants and children, this accredited course covers a range of paediatric emergencies, including allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Topics include:
Paediatric CPR.
Management of choking.
Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Seizures.
Asthma.
Bleeding and injuries.
Common childhood illnesses.
This course is particularly suitable for nurseries, early years settings, wraparound childcare providers, and school-based childcare services.
Why Consider Allergy and Anaphylaxis Training?
Training can help organisations:
Improve staff confidence.
Support effective implementation of healthcare plans.
Strengthen emergency preparedness.
Promote safer learning environments.
Demonstrate commitment to pupil wellbeing.
Support policy implementation and risk management arrangements.
Flexible Delivery Options
Our courses can be delivered:
At your school or educational setting.
For individual schools or academy trusts.
For groups of schools or local authority teams.
Throughout Scotland and across the wider UK.
If you would like to discuss training requirements for your organisation, please get in touch.
Contact Slanjava Learning Ltd
Kind regards,
Slanjava Learning Ltd | Helping others to help others
Award-winning Health & Social Care Training
-slàinte mhath-
References and Further Reading
Allergy UK (2026) Benedict's Law Moves Decisively Forward as Government Commits to Mandatory School Allergy Guidance. Available at: https://www.allergyuk.org/news/benedicts-law/ (Accessed: June 2026).
Anaphylaxis UK (2026) Allergy Management in Education Settings. Available at: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk (Accessed: June 2026).
Department for Education (2026) Stronger Protections for Children with Allergies in School. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stronger-protections-for-children-with-allergies-in-school (Accessed: June 2026).
Department for Education (2015, updated periodically) Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions (Accessed: June 2026).
Department of Health and Social Care (2017) Guidance on the Use of Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in Schools. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-emergency-adrenaline-auto-injectors-in-schools (Accessed: June 2026).
Scottish Government (2017) Supporting Children and Young People with Healthcare Needs in Schools. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-children-young-people-healthcare-needs-schools/ (Accessed: June 2026).
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (2026) Benedict's Law: Mandatory Allergy Safety Guidance in Schools. Available at: https://www.narf.org.uk/blog/2026/2/4/benedicts-law-mandatory-allergy-safety-guidance-in-schools (Accessed: June 2026).
Medical Information Disclaimer
This article is provided for general awareness and educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always follow the advice of qualified healthcare professionals and current government guidance when managing allergies and anaphylaxis within educational settings. Information reflects publicly available guidance available at the time of publication.
Article Information
Title: School Allergy Policy: What Should Be Included? A Practical Guide for Schools
Organisation: Slanjava Learning Ltd | Helping others to help others
First Published: June 2026
Last Reviewed: June 2026
Next Review Due: June 2027 or following significant changes to allergy management guidance, including any future developments relating to Benedict's Law.
Comments