Guidance: Medical conditions and allergies
Need to know:
Statutory guidance for schools on allergy safety and managing medical needs is out for consultation until 1 May. The guidance includes requirements for schools to have a comprehensive published policy for supporting children with medical conditions, including Individual Healthcare Plans to record specific arrangements for individuals
It also requires a separate allergy safety policy, which includes training and the use of adrenaline devices
A consultation on the proposals will close on 1 May, with final guidance expected in September 2026.
Stronger protections for children with medical conditions in schools
Stronger protections for children with allergies and other medical conditions will be introduced in September 2026. A consultation on the draft statutory guidance on Supporting Children and Young People with Medical Conditions and Allergy was published today, 4 March and is open for 8 weeks.
The plans have been developed with families and campaigners including Helen Blythe, mother of Benedict Blythe, who tragically lost his life to an allergic reaction at school, and the National Allergy Strategy Group – a coalition of organisations campaigning for safer schools.
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.
Beyond the classroom
These measures are important for supporting children and young people at school and when learning outside the classroom. The safe management of allergy and medical conditions is vital when taking children on educational visits and residentials.
Click the button below to view the proposals on the Government website.
What does the guidance say?
The new statutory requirements mean for the first time schools must:
Have a comprehensive published policy for supporting children with medical conditions, including Individual Healthcare Plans to record specific arrangements for individuals
Have a separate allergy safety policy, which includes training and the use of adrenaline devices
Those allergy requirements specifically include:
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
Wider changes to the guidance include new condition-specific content covering a range of common and significant conditions including epilepsy and diabetes.
Epilepsy is one of the most common long-term conditions for children; the draft guidance states that Individual Healthcare Plans should cover seizure types and what to do in an emergency.
Responding to an increase in Type 1 and 2 diabetes in children, under this guidance, schools must support children and young people to use continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps — including via mobile phone apps.
What does it mean for schools?
Schools will need to review your current policies and publish separate medical conditions and allergy safety policies. Many settings already include training on allergy awareness and medical conditions. This guidance will standardise practise and signpost to a collection of resources for teachers to use.
For now, schools should continue to refer to your establishment policy on how to manage allergies and medical conditions on educational visits. Speak to your adviser for support.
This publication is a general summary of guidance. It should not replace advice tailored to your specific circumstances. ©️EVOLVE Advice 2026
If you’d like further support on this issue, or advice on other aspects related to educational visits, speak to your Educational Visits Adviser.