The new statutory requirements mean for the first time schools must:

• Stock spare adrenaline auto-injectors for use in emergency situations
• Provide allergy awareness training for all staff — covering recognition of symptoms, emergency response and the use of adrenaline devices — alongside improved incident recording and lessons learnt processes
• Have a comprehensive policy for supporting children with medical conditions, including Individual Healthcare Plans to record specific arrangements for individuals like an allergy management plan.

Replacing previous non-statutory advice, the new guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions and allergies is now open for consultation, ahead of coming into force in September 2026.

The guidance will standardise practise, pointing to a collection of reliable resources for teachers to use, and work in parallel to the government's open call to businesses to support with costs such as adrenaline auto-injectors.

Wider changes to the guidance include new condition-specific content covering a range of common and significant conditions. As epilepsy is one of the most common long-term conditions for children, Individual Healthcare Plans should cover seizure types and what to do in an emergency. And as type 1 and 2 diabetes cases in children are rising, schools must support children and young people to use continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps — including via mobile phone apps.

Dr Zubir Ahmed, health innovation and safety minister, said: ‘Allergies and other conditions affect hundreds of thousands of children across England, and it is right that we give schools the tools, training and clear guidance they need to respond confidently in an emergency.

‘When health and education work together like this, it can make a real, lasting difference for children and their families.'