The UK Government has recently announced a consultation on stronger protections for children with allergies in schools. The proposals aim to reduce the risk of serious incidents and deaths caused by severe allergic reactions, also known as anaphylaxis.
The protections are due to be implemented in September 2026 and will strengthen expectations around staff training, emergency medication, and having a clear allergy policy for schools.
Allergies are already a daily concern for all schools, but not every school has moved from concern to action. The new regulations will make it a requirement that schools prepare staff to not only recognise anaphylaxis symptoms but also to be able to respond immediately with appropriate first aid and medications.
The Government’s proposals highlight three key areas where schools must be prepared.
Developing an allergy policy
The new regulations will require schools to develop and maintain a well-structured allergy policy. This helps ensure that staff understand their responsibilities and that procedures are applied consistently, as well as ensuring that important areas don’t become neglected over time.
A typical policy should include:
- How pupils with allergies are identified and recorded
- How medication is stored and accessed quickly
- How staff are trained in allergy response
- How the school communicates with parents and healthcare professionals
- What procedures are followed if an allergic reaction occurs
Having a clear and up-to-date policy also reassures parents that the school takes allergy safety seriously and has systems in place to protect pupils.
Staff training in allergy awareness and emergency response
One of the most important elements of a school allergy policy is ensuring that staff know how to spot and respond to an allergic emergency.
Compulsory training will enable staff to:
- Recognise the symptoms of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Understand when and how to administer adrenaline using an auto-injector (often known as an EpiPen)
- Act quickly while emergency services are called.
Anaphylaxis is a time-critical medical emergency. Even a short delay in treatment can increase the severity of the reaction and the risk of death. When school staff are properly trained, they are far more confident in recognising symptoms and responding appropriately and quickly.
Training needs to be supported by regular exercises. One of the issues with the normal three-year first aid training cadence is that staff who don’t often get a chance to use their first aid skills quickly become rusty and forget their training.
Anaphylaxis is uncommon but deadly, so it is important that staff are given regular exercises to maintain their skills in this area. Response needs to be confident and second-nature and this can only be achieved by regular practice. A short refresher exercise at the start of each term would be best practice. If this cannot be achieved, then a short training and exercise session once a year will at least keep skills reasonably up to date.
Keeping emergency allergy medication on site
The Government consultation also reinforces the importance of schools having spare adrenaline auto-injectors available on site.
These devices deliver adrenaline, the medication used to treat severe allergic reactions. Administering adrenaline quickly can reverse symptoms and buy valuable time until paramedics arrive.
Although schools have been allowed to hold spare auto-injectors since 2017, the proposed changes would strengthen expectations that they form part of a school’s first aid provision.
The allergy policy will need to clearly outline where emergency medication is stored, who can access it (quickly), and how it should be used in an emergency.
A big step in the right direction
At Jill Webb Training, the importance of allergy awareness has been highlighted for many years during first aid training for schools.
Many teachers and support staff want to help in an emergency but feel uncertain about recognising symptoms or, particularly about using an adrenaline auto-injector. Training removes that uncertainty and gives staff the confidence to act quickly when it matters most.
The Government’s proposals are therefore a welcome step forward in improving safety and consistency across schools.
Need some help with your Allergy Policy?
To support schools preparing for these changes, Jill Webb Training will soon be publishing practical guidance on how to develop an effective allergy policy for schools. If you would like to receive this free guidance when it becomes available just fill in this short form.