As school leaders, safeguarding sits at the absolute heart of everything you do. From September 2026, the safeguarding landscape in England takes a major step forward with the implementation of Benedict’s law, formally introduced under the Department for Education’s (DfE) Allergy safety in schools statutory guidance.

Named in memory of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who tragically died from an allergic reaction at school in 2021, this landmark legislation establishes a clear national benchmark for allergy management across all education settings.

At The Safer Food Group, we understand that new statutory requirements can feel daunting, especially when the stakes are so high. Below, we break down the practical steps, unique challenges, and cultural shifts senior leadership teams (SLTs) need to navigate this transition with complete confidence.

1. The 6 statutory actions every school must take

The government's guidance defines six non-negotiable core actions leaders must implement to keep allergy sufferers safe:

• Publish a specific allergy policy: Allergy management can no longer be buried inside a generic medical conditions policy. Schools must publish a dedicated allergy policy on their website, reviewed at least annually. A link to guidance on creating an allergy policy is provided below.

• Appoint a named SLT allergy lead: A designated member of the senior leadership team must take explicit responsibility for policy implementation, risk management, and oversight.

• Organise whole-staff training: Training is no longer restricted to designated first aiders. Every adult regularly on site, including teachers, teaching assistants, catering teams, midday supervisors, and support staff, must complete appropriate allergy awareness and emergency response training.

• Hold individual healthcare plans (IHPs): Every pupil with a relevant allergy must have an up-to-date IHP detailing their specific triggers, symptoms, and emergency protocols.

• Maintain spare emergency auto-injectors (AAIs): Schools are required to hold spare, in-date AAIs on site for emergency use if a child’s personal pen fails or an unexpected reaction occurs.

• Establish near-miss & incident reporting: Formal reporting systems must record, review, and extract key lessons from all allergy-related incidents and close calls to close hidden gaps in risk assessments.

2. Navigating the hidden risks beyond the canteen

Schools are dynamic, fast-moving environments where food and allergens are rarely confined to the dining hall. While kitchen controls are usually strict, managing allergens brought from home or used during classroom activities presents a far greater challenge.

A robust policy must ensure safety across the entire school campus:

Important: Allergies cause real anxiety for pupils. A strong policy protects children without excluding them from fun activities or singling them out in ways that could lead to isolation or bullying. Clear, transparent communication of your procedures also builds vital trust with parents.

3. Designing effective staff training

Generic food handler courses focus primarily on commercial kitchen environments, but school staff face unpredictable, fast-changing situations throughout the day. Training must be tailored specifically to the realities of an educational setting, and also encompass the training requirements detailed in Allergy safety in schools.

In an anaphylactic crisis, acting fast can save a life. Clear, comprehensive training ensures your entire team can spot early warning signs and respond with calm confidence.

Many schools are choosing to integrate online learning designed specifically for school staff into scheduled INSET days alongside policy briefings and practical first-aid practice using trainer AAI pens.

4. Building a lasting culture of allergy safety

Policy documents alone don't protect children; school culture does. Here are the three key ingredients needed to embed long-term safety across your school:

1. Inclusion: Educate pupils about food allergies in age-appropriate ways. Building empathy among peers drastically reduces accidental exposure and prevents allergy-related bullying.

2. A no-blame culture: Encourage staff to report close calls or minor policy lapses without fear of reprisal. Near-misses are vital learning opportunities that prevent future emergencies.

3. Confidence through knowledge: Hesitation stems from a lack of understanding. High-quality training and clear responsibilities empower staff to step up, challenge unsafe practices, and act decisively when it matters most.

Ready to prepare your school for Benedict’s law?

The Safer Food Group’s Allergy awareness in schools course has been written specifically to meet the DfE statutory guidance. Delivered online, it provides flexible, affordable whole-staff training that equips your team to handle allergy safety with total confidence.

• Looking to train your whole team? Explore our Allergy awareness in schools course or get in touch with our team today to discuss whole-school licensing options.

Useful resources

Allergy Awareness for Schools training course

AAI guidance poster for Schools

Allergy safety in schools statutory guidance

Allergy policy template