SKILLBASE STATEMENT
The publication of the Department for Education’s new statutory guidance on allergy safety in schools marks one of the most significant developments in school allergy management for many years.
At SkillBase First Aid, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping people prepare for the moments they hope never happen. That’s why we welcome this guidance and the greater focus it places on helping schools build safer, more prepared environments for children with allergies.
Since the guidance was published, we’ve spoken to schools across the country, and one message has come through time and time again.
“We’ve either already completed online allergy training or we’ve booked an online course for September.”
We understand why.
Schools are balancing stretched budgets, busy staff teams and an ever-growing list of priorities. Online learning can appear to be a quick and cost-effective solution.
But Benedict’s Law asks schools to think beyond whether training has simply been completed.
It asks a far more important question.
Would the adult standing next to a child experiencing anaphylaxis feel confident enough to act?
Why practical, trainer-led learning matters
The new statutory guidance makes it clear that standard first aid training alone is not sufficient.
It also reinforces that allergy safety is a whole-school responsibility.
The adult closest to a child experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction may not be the designated first aider. It could be a teacher, teaching assistant, lunchtime supervisor, office administrator, kitchen team member, sports coach, caretaker, supply teacher or another member of staff.
Emergencies don’t test what people can remember.
They test whether people can act.
That’s why we believe there is an important difference between information and confidence.
A trainer-led session gives staff the opportunity to ask questions, explore situations that are specific to their own school, discuss concerns with colleagues and understand how the guidance applies to their own pupils, policies and environment.
It also allows a trainer to check understanding, challenge misconceptions and respond to the needs of the group as they learn.
Most importantly, staff have the opportunity to see, hold and practise with trainer adrenaline auto-injectors before they are ever faced with a real emergency.
Practical rehearsal helps people become familiar with the actions they may need to take under pressure. It reduces uncertainty, builds confidence and helps staff leave knowing not just what they should do, but feeling more prepared to do it.
This is not a new principle.
Previous Department of Health guidance on the use of adrenaline auto-injectors in schools stated that staff should receive specialist anaphylaxis training, including practical instruction in the use of adrenaline auto-injector devices. It also stated that introductory online learning resources were not a substitute for face-to-face training.
The new guidance is also an opportunity to review existing training
For schools that have already completed or arranged online allergy training, the publication of the final statutory guidance provides a sensible opportunity to review what that training covers.
The July 2026 guidance includes areas such as:
- understanding the difference between allergy, intolerance and coeliac disease
- recognising mild, moderate and severe allergic reactions
- understanding the relationship between allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis
- emergency response and the use of adrenaline devices
- understanding the wider impact allergies can have on a child’s wellbeing, inclusion and school experience
Schools may simply wish to ask:
- Does our current training reflect the latest statutory guidance?
- Does it give staff the opportunity to ask questions?
- Does it prepare staff for the situations they may realistically face in our school?
- Most importantly, would our staff feel confident enough to respond if an emergency happened tomorrow?
A school perspective
Charlotte Corbett, former teacher and Head of Compliance at SkillBase First Aid, said:
“As a former teacher, I understand why schools have looked for practical and affordable ways to prepare staff.
But every school is different. Every school has different pupils, different procedures and different questions.
Face-to-face training gives staff the opportunity to ask those questions, relate the guidance to their own setting and leave feeling more confident about what they would actually do if an emergency happened.
Now the statutory guidance has been published, it’s a sensible time for schools to review any allergy training they’ve already completed or arranged and make sure it reflects the latest expectations.”
SkillBase’s position
Tracey Dangerfield, Director of SkillBase First Aid, said:
“For us, Benedict’s Law has never simply been about whether someone can say they’ve completed training.
It’s about whether the adult standing next to a child in an emergency feels confident enough to act.
A trainer in the room gives people the opportunity to ask questions, talk through real school scenarios and become familiar with trainer adrenaline auto-injectors before they are ever needed.
At SkillBase, we believe the first time someone handles an adrenaline auto-injector should not be during a real emergency.
That’s why our message is simple: confidence, not just awareness.”
Many schools have already taken positive steps to prepare for September, and we recognise the commitment that takes.
Our message is simply this:
Now the final guidance has been published, take one last look.
Don’t just ask whether your staff have completed allergy training.
Ask whether they would feel confident to respond when every second matters.
Further information
If your school is reviewing its allergy arrangements ahead of September, you may find these resources helpful:
- Read our Live Guide to Benedict’s Law and the latest DfE statutory guidance
- Explore our 1-hour Allergy and Anaphylaxis Course for Schools
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