A safe school system should not depend on one knowledgeable teacher being present. The school’s policy, training, medication arrangements and communication need to work across classrooms, catering, clubs, trips and staff changes.

Scope matters

This guide explains the statutory guidance for schools in England.

Education and health arrangements differ across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Families outside England should use the guidance issued by their government, health service, school and local authority.

What the 2026 guidance expects

01

A published allergy-safety policy

The school should explain how it identifies risk, supports pupils, manages food and medication, communicates with families and responds to emergencies.

02

Whole-school staff training

Training should help staff recognise reactions, understand individual arrangements and respond quickly. This must include people supervising meals, clubs and activities.

03

Individual healthcare plans

Pupils who need an IHP should have clear, current arrangements agreed with their family and relevant healthcare professionals.

04

Learning from events

Serious incidents and near misses should be recorded, communicated and reviewed so controls improve rather than the same gap recurring.

Questions for the school

  • Where is the school’s current allergy-safety policy published?
  • Who coordinates the pupil’s individual healthcare plan and how often is it reviewed?
  • How can the pupil access prescribed emergency medication without delay?
  • Which staff receive allergy training, including catering, supply and after-school staff?
  • How are classroom food, celebrations, trips, transport and clubs assessed?
  • How are changes, reactions and near misses shared with parents and used to improve arrangements?

Emergency medication and spare devices

A pupil’s prescribed devices and written emergency plan remain central. Schools in England may also purchase spare adrenaline auto-injectors without a prescription for emergency use in the circumstances set out by government guidance. Families should ask how the school stores, checks and provides rapid access to all emergency medication.

This website cannot decide whether a child should have an auto-injector or how it should be used. That belongs in advice from the child’s qualified healthcare team and the device instructions.

Emergency action

Delay is dangerous when anaphylaxis is suspected.

Follow the pupil’s emergency plan, use an adrenaline auto-injector if available and call 999. Tell the call handler that anaphylaxis is suspected.

Read NHS anaphylaxis guidance ↗

Evidence base

Official sources