PLANS are set to be introduced across England to give stronger protections for children with allergies in schools, a campaign spearheaded by Redditch MP Chris Bloore.
The new statutory guidance, announced by the Government and now open for consultation, will for the first time require schools in England to introduce stronger safety measures for pupils with allergies.
These include a dedicated allergy safety policy, Individual Healthcare Plans for affected pupils, emergency adrenaline auto-injectors stocked as standard and mandatory allergy awareness training for all school staff.
The measures are expected to come into force from September this year.
Nearly 700,000 children in England are estimated to have a food allergy, with research showing that around one in five anaphylaxis deaths among school-aged children occur in school settings.
On average, two children in every classroom are affected by food allergies.
Mr Bloore has been campaigning for improved allergy safety in schools and introduced the Schools (Allergy Safety) Bill in Parliament as a Ten Minute Rule Bill.
He said: “Nearly 700,000 children in England have a food allergy and parents should be able to send their child to school knowing their allergies will be properly managed.
“Too often that simply hasn’t been the case.
“Food allergies affect around two children in every classroom, yet there has been a patchwork of standards across schools, with many lacking clear policies, training or access to emergency medication.
“These new measures are a huge step forward towards Benedict’s Law.
“They will help ensure every school has the training, the policies and the equipment needed to respond quickly and save lives in an emergency.”
Mr Bloore paid tribute to campaigners including Helen Blythe and the Blythe family, whose son Benedict tragically died after suffering an allergic reaction at school.
Since then, Helen has campaigned to improve allergy safety for children across the country.
The MP added: “Families living with severe allergies deserve the confidence that schools are prepared and able to respond quickly if an emergency occurs.
“This announcement is a major step forward and shows what determined families, campaigners and MPs can achieve together.
“I am proud Redditch has played its part in helping to push this issue onto the national agenda.”
The Government’s draft guidance is currently open for consultation ahead of being finalised and implemented in September.
Ofsted will consider the effectiveness of schools’ allergy safety policies and their implementation as part of the inspection process.
