Benedict's Law FAQ

From September 2026, annual training will become mandatory.

It is now expected that all staff should have a basic awareness of allergies and know how to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis. This is because a reaction can happen anywhere (in the playground, the dining hall, or a corridor), where a “designated” first aider might not be immediately present.

Independent schools are covered by Benedict’s Law. Maintained nurseries (those attached to the school) are covered by the law too but PVI nurseries are not.

The schools training  (both online and face-to-face) has been fully updated to ensure that it is compliant.

The early years training is compliant with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and the Safer Eating section.

Online training that includes the administration of adrenaline is compliant. There are no stipulates that the training needs to be delivered face to face. The crucial factor is that staff must have a go with a trainer device as they complete the online training as this provides the confidence to staff in knowing how it works should an emergency arise.

To book our face to face training, contact us via this form or email us at allergywise@anaphylaxis.org.uk. In order to provide a quote we need to know how many staff and where in the country the school or setting is located. We can also provide face to face training for early years settings. We aim to keep costs as low as possible, travel expenses need to be covered in addition to the training fee.

We have to limited our sessions to 50 people at one time because of the practical element of using the adrenaline devices and being able to ensure that everyone is using them correctly. We are able to run concurrent sessions throughout the day or sometimes bring two trainers for simultaneous sessions.

We have trainers located in South Wales, Midlands, Bedfordshire, Cornwall, South, South West, London and some parts of the South East.

We have limited availability for face to face training in September with most of our trainers fully booked. We are able to lead training during a normal working day. This often proves to be a popular model as schools release support staff during the day and teaching staff after school in order to fit with working hours and reduce overtime costs for support staff. During a normal working day, there is the bonus of us being able to lead assembly style workshops for the students at no additional cost when they happen on the same day as the training.

We offer training for early years settings in the evening as we know that it is difficult to release staff during the normal working day.

It is not essential to have a complete package or to spend a huge amount of money on them. Adrenaline auto-injectors can be purchased from a high street or online pharmacy, using our template letter from our downloads section on the school’s headed paper, signed by the headteacher. It’s worth asking high street pharmacies for their best price and whether the school may be eligible for the NHS price.

Packages vary by supplier and they come with different elements included. Some are a simple case with the adrenaline auto-injectors, whilst others include training. Purchased directly from the pharmacy will be the cheapest option and the prices vary too as the pharmacy adds on an administration charge to the cost price. It is always worth asking for a discount or the NHS price. Some pharmacies (especially the independent ones) are willing to do this. From a pharmacy they typically cost £80-100 per autoinjector.

Both EpiPen and Jext are equally effective and follow the same clinical guidelines, so neither is considered better for schools. Most schools choose based on which brand their local pharmacy has in stock or which trainer pens they already have available for staff practice.

They should be in a central location that is known to all staff. They need to be stored out of direct sunlight and a place that has a relatively constant temperature that is below 25o and above freezing. They should not be in a first aid bag. We recommend that a consistent colour for allergy is used throughout school.

Generally, pupils under 30kg (usually KS1) require a 150mcg dose, while those over 30kg (usually KS2 and above) require a 300mcg dose. It is essential to check each student’s individual Allergy Action Plan to ensure the correct strength is administered.

For State-funded nursery school: 

AAI for children under age 6 years (150 micrograms), EG EpiPen Junior, Jext 150  – 2 

AAI for individuals over 6 years of age (300 microgram), e.g. EpiPen, Jext 300 –  n/a 

For Primary school: 

AAI for children under age 6 years (150 micrograms), EG EpiPen Junior, Jext 150  – 2 

AAI for individuals over 6 years of age (300 microgram), e.g. EpiPen, Jext 300 –  2

For Secondary school:  

AAI for children under age 6 years (150 micrograms), EG EpiPen Junior, Jext 150  – n/a 

AAI for individuals over 6 years of age (300 microgram), e.g. EpiPen, Jext 300 –  2-4

For Special school:

AAI for children under age 6 years (150 micrograms), EG EpiPen Junior, Jext 150  – 2 

AAI for individuals over 6 years of age (300 microgram), e.g. EpiPen, Jext 300 –  2

Secondary schools should consider having two pairs of “spare” devices, so that the “spare” ADs are not located more than five minutes aways from where they may be needed.  

If the school site is spread out, we recommend undertaking some timed tests to see how quickly the spare adrenaline can be brought to the further point considering the number of access-controlled doors that need to be gone through.  Consider too, the adrenaline being fetched by the slowest member of staff rather than the fastest.  Plan for worst case.  This may indicate that more adrenaline devices are needed than is recommended in the guidance. 

Unless they are a maintained nursery attached to a school, early years settings are unable to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors. PVIs based on a school site can ask the school whether they would be able to access the school devices in an emergency situation.

In order for early years settings to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, the MHRA needs to make further amendments to the regulations. We are often asked what settings can do to help achieve this; we would recommend asking the setting’s local MP to raise this as a parliamentary question. We also suggest settings raise this with their local authority during network meetings as the local authorities can raise it within the department for education.

They should always be carried as a pair and must not be split up.

The adrenaline device should be checked regularly by a member of staff with this responsibility to make sure that they are in date and haven’t gone off. The checks should be recorded.

Whilst it is the parent’s responsibility to check their child’s adrenaline devices, it is worth the educational setting also checking these and raising with the parents if there are any problems.

Schools are not required to take AAIs off site on trips. The new guidance says that they shouldn’t be taken and should be left in school for the students who are not on the trip. If a child has AAIs, then they should have their own with them.