Mandatory Allergy Safety Measures Introduced for Schools in England
The Department for Education in England has published new “Allergy Safety in Schools” guidance designed to improve the safety of pupils with allergies. The new measures will become mandatory from 1 September 2026, at the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year.
Under the regulations, schools in England will be required to develop a whole-school allergy policy, provide allergy awareness training for all staff, and stock spare adrenaline auto-injectors for use in emergencies. It will also be mandatory to establish an Individual Healthcare Plan for every pupil with an allergy.
The rules will apply to state-funded schools, special schools, pupil referral units, academies, and free schools. The government also plans to introduce similar requirements for independent schools, independent special schools, and non-maintained special schools.
During school inspections, institutions will also be assessed on how they have implemented the new rules and how they protect pupils with allergies and related medical conditions. The measures aim to establish a consistent approach across schools to allergy management, emergency preparedness, and staff training.