{"id":40408,"date":"2023-09-25T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=40408"},"modified":"2026-01-09T10:03:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T10:03:10","slug":"food-allergy-policy-for-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/food-allergy-policy-for-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"What Should a School Food Allergy Policy Cover?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to Allergy UK, almost one in 12 young children<\/a> suffer from food allergies. The reactions which children can experience range from mild to life-threatening, with the most severe reaction being anaphylaxis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With children spending a significant amount of time at school, it is vital that those with food allergies feel safe <\/strong>and can thrive without worrying about an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will outline what a school food allergy policy aims to do and what should be covered in the policy. We will also provide you with an editable example to use so you can feel confident when creating your own policy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What is a Food Allergy Policy for Schools? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Schools are busy and exciting environments, but for pupils with food hypersensitivities, attending school and managing this can be daunting. It can also be incredibly worrisome for their parents and carers. For some children with food allergies, even trace amounts of a certain ingredient can be enough to trigger a severe reaction, so it\u2019s essential to take these conditions seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not only food allergies to be aware of, but also wider food hypersensitivities. The term food hypersensitivity encompasses allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease. Whilst symptoms linked to intolerances<\/a> and coeliac disease may not be immediately life threatening, they can cause very unpleasant symptoms. Over time, if coeliacs ingest gluten, it can cause serious health issues. If you would like to understand more about food hypersensitivities, take a look at our article: What is Food Hypersensitivity?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a food allergy policy can demonstrate the school\u2019s conscientious approach <\/strong>to dealing with food hypersensitivities, and allowing parents and carers to access this can be very reassuring. It shows that consideration has been taken, and additional planning has been carried out to provide a safe environment for children who experience adverse reactions to certain ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The policy needs to cover information such as the signs of an allergic reaction, how to prepare and serve food safely for pupils with hypersensitivities and how to act in an emergency. It should also be created in line with relevant guidelines and legislation, some of which we will explain below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Food Allergy School Guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Children & Families Act 2014 makes it a legal requirement to make arrangements for pupils with medical conditions in school, including food allergies. <\/strong>This means that schools must take time to consider the additional steps needed to provide safe and fulfilling environments for all pupils with food allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When considering the food served at school in particular, The Food Information Regulations, 2014, requires all food businesses, including school caterers, to ensure that allergen information is clearly provided for all food they serve. From October 2021, food which is prepared and packaged on the same site (Pre-Packed for Direct Sale), such as sandwiches and salads, must have a full ingredients list, with allergens clearly highlighted. Your school allergy policy should outline how you operate in line with these regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n

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To make it a little easier to provide for pupils with food hypersensitivities, many will have an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP), which is created by a medical professional, such as their GP. Considering the guidance offered in children\u2019s IHP\u2019s can be incredibly helpful when designing a Food Allergy Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, a campaign by the Benedict Blythe Foundation<\/a> was launched, calling for several steps to become mandatory in schools regarding allergies and anaphylaxis. One of these was for all schools to have an effective allergy policy, including an anaphylaxis plan. It also calls for the provision for children with food allergies to be monitored more closely by Ofsted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking all of this into account, it\u2019s clear that managing food hypersensitivities safely in school is a vital element of safeguarding children. You can learn more about the legislation surrounding all parts of safeguarding in our hub article here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Should a School Food Allergy Policy Include? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The details of what should be included in your food allergy policy will depend on the specific risks in your setting. However, all policies need to cover certain essential topics. <\/strong>With this in mind, your food allergy policy must cover the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n