From September 2026, every school in England will be legally required to stock life-saving adrenaline auto-injectors and provide mandatory allergy training for teachers, under new government guidance known as Benedict's Law.
Landmark Safety Measures
The rules, hailed as a 'landmark moment' by campaigners, follow years of advocacy by Helen and Pete Blythe after their five-year-old son Benedict died from an allergic reaction to cow's milk at his primary school in December 2021. The government says the measures will protect hundreds of thousands of children with allergies across the country.
Education Minister Olivia Bailey 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.'
What Schools Must Do
Under the new statutory guidance, schools must maintain clear allergy policies and individual healthcare plans for affected pupils. Staff will receive mandatory training to respond quickly and confidently to allergic emergencies. The rules mark the first time dedicated statutory allergy safety guidance has been issued to schools in England.
Helen Blythe, co-founder of the Benedict Blythe Foundation, described the announcement as 'a historic turning point for children with allergies and their families'. She added: 'From September, schools across England will have clear national expectations on how they keep children with allergies safe.'
Impact on Families
The government says the changes mean families can 'walk through the school gates with confidence', knowing their children have proper protection and trained staff ready to respond in emergencies. The new law aims to provide consistent, nationwide standards, ending the postcode lottery of allergy safety in schools.
