Schools Urged to Prepare for Incoming Benedict’s Law
Schools across England are being encouraged to prepare for the introduction of Benedict’s Law (the School (Allergy Safety) Bill), with implementation expected from September 2026 following final statutory guidance due in July 2026.
The legislation follows the death of five-year-old Benedict Blyth and will introduce a mandatory national framework for managing allergies and anaphylaxis in schools.
What schools will be required to do
Under the new law, schools will need to move beyond guidance and demonstrate clear, consistent processes. Key requirements include:
- Whole-school allergy policies covering prevention, risk management, and emergency response
- Mandatory training for all staff to recognise anaphylaxis and respond confidently, including the use of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs)
- Accurate allergy registers and robust record-keeping systems
- Individual healthcare / allergy action plans for pupils, developed with families and medical professionals
- Access to emergency medication, including “spare” AAIs where appropriate
- Clear emergency procedures, including escalation and communication protocols.
In addition, schools will be expected to embed allergy safety across all aspects of school life — including catering, classroom activities, school trips, and safeguarding — with a strong focus on risk assessment and prevention of cross-contamination.
Responsibilities for school staff
The legislation reinforces the existing duty of care on teachers and school staff to protect pupils from harm.
In practice, this means that all staff must be able to:
- Identify the signs of a mild vs severe allergic reaction
- Recognise that anaphylaxis can develop rapidly, sometimes without obvious skin symptoms
- Act immediately in an emergency — including administering adrenaline without delay
- Follow clearly defined procedures while waiting for emergency services
With around 1 in 300 people experiencing anaphylaxis in their lifetime, confidence and speed of response are critical to improving outcomes.
Why schools should act now
Although the legislation is not yet in force, the timeline to implementation is short. Schools that begin preparing now will be better placed to:
- Meet statutory requirements from day one
- Build staff confidence and competence
- Create safer, more inclusive environments for pupils with allergies
Training and support
Hertfordshire Lifesavers is supporting schools to prepare for Benedict’s Law through training, guidance, and implementation support aligned to the new requirements.
📧 Contact: hello@hertfordshire-lifesavers.org.uk
📩 Get in touch to discuss how your school can prepare with confidence.
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