New allergy safety guidance raises expectations for schools
Alice Reeve, Partner in our Employment team, and Natalie Wargent, Partner in our Regulatory Compliance team, have written for the Times Educational Supplement on the new statutory guidance for schools on allergy safety.
This follows years of campaigning led by the Benedict Blythe Foundation after the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe. The new guidance, together with the wider reforms known as Benedict's Law, aims to help schools build a safer, more confident approach to supporting children, staff and visitors with allergies.
The Department for Education's new Allergy Safety in Schools statutory guidance, published in July 2026, introduces significant new expectations around how schools identify, manage and respond to allergy-related risks.
The article highlights the practical steps schools should take. Alice and Natalie recommend that schools appoint a designated allergy lead and audit their current practices, including catering processes, classroom materials, cleaning routines, storage of adrenaline devices and staff confidence in responding to emergencies.
They also highlight the importance of reviewing or introducing a dedicated allergy safety policy, using the DfE's template where appropriate, and providing annual whole-staff training, termly refreshers and clear induction for new staff.
Read the article:
Share this page
Latest News
- News
New allergy safety guidance raises expectations for schools
Alice Reeve, Partner in our Employment team, and Natalie Wargent, Partner in our Regulatory Compliance team, have written for the Times Educational Supplement on the new statutory guidance for schools on allergy safety.
- News
VWV and Narrow Quay Solutions celebrate sporting success of Susie Luckman
VWV and Narrow Quay Solutions (NQS) are proud to celebrate the sporting achievements of Susie Luckman, Corporate Partner, who has been selected to represent Great Britain in target rifle shooting in international competition in Canada and the USA this summer.
