Benedict’s Law and Allergy Action Plans in Schools
What is Benedict’s Law?
Benedict’s Law introduces new statutory allergy safety requirements for schools in England from September 2026. The legislation and accompanying Department for Education (DfE) guidance were developed following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction at school in 2021. The aim is to improve the recognition, management and emergency response to allergies within educational settings.
Under the new requirements, schools must have appropriate allergy policies, ensure staff receive allergy awareness training, maintain access to spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), and put arrangements in place to support pupils with diagnosed allergies. [gov.uk], [gov.uk]
The School’s Responsibility
The DfE’s statutory guidance makes clear that schools are responsible for identifying pupils who require Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) and for producing and maintaining those plans. Schools must have processes in place to support children with allergies and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.
As part of Benedict’s Law, schools are expected to take the lead in developing, implementing and reviewing allergy management arrangements for their pupils, including Individual Healthcare Plans where required. The DfE has published template documents and guidance to support schools in meeting these requirements.
The Role of General Practice
General Practice is not required to create, complete or routinely update school allergy action plans or Individual Healthcare Plans on behalf of schools. The responsibility for developing and maintaining these plans rests with the school, working collaboratively with parents, carers and, where appropriate, specialist healthcare professionals.
GP practices may provide factual information already contained within the patient’s medical record when appropriate, but schools should not routinely request that GPs complete school-generated forms or undertake non-contractual administrative work related solely to educational requirements.
Further Information
Schools should refer directly to the Department for Education’s Allergy safety in schools statutory guidance and associated templates for detailed information regarding their responsibilities under Benedict’s Law.
Useful resources:
Benedict’s Law – Benedict Blythe Foundation
Stronger protections for children with allergies in school – GOV.UK