Last updated: May 2026
If your child has a severe allergy, you already know the anxiety that comes with handing them over to someone else’s care. The school run, the lunch hall, the school trip, the birthday cake brought in without warning — everyday school life is full of moments where your child’s safety depends on other people knowing what to do, and doing it properly.
This toolkit is here to help. It will not remove the worry completely, but it will give you practical questions, clear checkpoints, and useful next steps so you can feel more confident that your child’s school is taking allergy safety seriously.
Start here: know your rights
Schools in England have a duty of care to their pupils. Department for Education guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions sets out what schools are expected to do, including making appropriate arrangements, ensuring staff are trained, supporting children to take part in school life, and using individual healthcare plans where needed.
Many schools do this well. Others need more support, more structure, or more pressure from parents to get it right consistently.
You do not need to wait for future legal changes to ask the right questions now.
School allergy checklist
Use this as a practical starting point for meetings, emails, and reviews.
The basics
- Your child has a current written Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP)
- The IHP clearly lists allergens, symptoms, medication, emergency steps, and contact details
- The IHP is reviewed regularly and updated after any major change
- Relevant staff know where to access it
- Key staff can quickly identify your child and their emergency needs
Medication and equipment
- Your child’s adrenaline auto-injector is in school, in date, and easy to access
- Staff know exactly where medication is stored
- Medication is not locked away or difficult to reach in an emergency
- There is a system for checking expiry dates and replacing medication in time
- The school understands arrangements for spare or backup medication where appropriate
Staff training
- More than one member of staff is trained to respond to an allergic emergency
- Staff know how to recognise symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Training is refreshed regularly
- Supply staff and new staff are briefed where needed
- There is a clear lead person overseeing allergy arrangements
The school day
- The canteen understands your child’s allergens
- Cross-contamination risks are considered
- Food brought in by other families is managed sensibly
- Classroom activities are checked for allergen risks
- Your child can take part safely in normal school life
Trips and activities
- Allergy information goes on every trip
- The supervising adults know what to do in an emergency
- Medication stays accessible during trips and activities
- After-school clubs and sports staff are aware where relevant
Questions to ask at your first meeting
Do not wait to be invited. Ask for a meeting with the headteacher, SENCO, pastoral lead, or another appropriate member of staff.
Useful questions include:
- Does my child currently have an Individual Healthcare Plan, and can I review it?
- How many staff are trained to recognise anaphylaxis and use an adrenaline auto-injector?
- What happens if those staff members are absent?
- Where is my child’s medication stored, and how quickly can it be accessed?
- How is my child’s allergy information shared with supply staff and other adults?
- How does the canteen manage allergens and cross-contamination?
- What is the school’s approach to birthday treats and food brought in by families?
- How are trips, clubs, sports, and special events managed?
- Who is responsible for overseeing my child’s allergy arrangements?
- When was staff training last updated?
After the meeting, follow up in writing. A short email summary helps create a record of what was discussed and agreed.
If things are not being taken seriously
If the school is not responding properly, start by raising concerns clearly in writing. Be specific. For example:
‘I am concerned that only one member of staff is trained to use an adrenaline auto-injector. Please can you confirm what arrangements are in place if that person is absent?’
If you are not satisfied with the response, you can escalate concerns through the school’s leadership or governing structure. Keep records of emails, notes, and conversations.
Clear records matter.
If your child has a reaction at school
Your first priority is always your child’s immediate safety.
Once they are safe, ask for a clear written account of what happened, including:
- when symptoms started
- what action was taken
- who responded
- when medication was given
- whether emergency services were contacted
Then review the healthcare plan and school procedures to identify what needs to change.
Talking to other parents about food
Food brought into school by other families can be one of the hardest parts of school allergy life to manage. Most parents do not mean any harm — they often just do not realise the risk.
A few things can help:
Ask the school for a written food policy.
If one does not exist, suggest creating one. Frame it as protecting all children, not just yours.
Encourage clear communication.
A short, friendly message at the start of term can help raise awareness without putting other parents on the defensive.
Suggest non-food alternatives.
Some schools move to stickers, pencils, or a class book donation instead of birthday treats. That often removes the issue entirely.
Useful resources
It can help to keep a few trusted resources to hand, including:
- allergy charities and support organisations
- school healthcare plan templates
- official government guidance
- NHS information on allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
You may also want to keep copies of:
- your child’s diagnosis information
- prescribed medication details
- consultant or GP letters
- emergency action plans
You are not being difficult
Many parents worry they are being seen as overprotective, demanding, or difficult when they push for proper allergy safety at school.
You are not being difficult.
You are doing what a parent should do: asking sensible questions, checking systems, and making sure the adults responsible for your child understand what is at stake.
A good school will not see that as a problem. It will see it as partnership.
Related guidance
- Read our Benedict’s Law guide to understand the wider push for stronger school allergy protections
- Explore more Children & Families guidance in the Knowledge Hub
- Look out for future downloadable checklists and school resources from The Allergy Community
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only and should not be taken as medical or legal advice. School arrangements may differ, and families should always speak directly to their school and relevant professionals about their own circumstances.