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Allergy and Anaphylaxis Training for Schools

Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness (RQF)

First Aid Training For Schools, First Aid Instructor Training
Group of adults taking part in a first aid training session with CPR practice on a resuscitation manikin.

Ofqual Regulated

1

Year Certification

2

Hour Course

Interested in This Course?

We don't currently have a public date scheduled for this course at our Milton Keynes training centre.

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This course is usually only delivered on-site for schools.  To make a booking please click below.​

Allergy awareness and emergency response training for school staff

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Allergies are common among children and young people, and an allergic reaction can happen without warning. Everyone working in a school should be able to recognise an allergic emergency and know what to do next.

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The Department for Education’s statutory guidance on allergy safety in schools expects schools to provide regular allergy awareness and emergency response training for all staff who are present while pupils are on site. This should take place at least annually.

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The guidance applies to maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England. It may also provide useful good practice for early years settings, independent schools, colleges and other educational settings.

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The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness (RQF) has been created specifically for staff, governors and volunteers working in schools and educational settings.

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This two hour qualification helps learners understand how allergies should be managed in schools, how to recognise allergic reactions, anaphylaxis and asthma attacks, and how to respond appropriately in an emergency.

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It also considers the wider effect that allergies can have on a child’s physical health, emotional wellbeing and everyday school experience.

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Who is this course for?

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This qualification is suitable for people working or volunteering in schools and other educational settings, including:

  • Teachers and teaching assistants

  • School leaders

  • Administrative staff

  • Lunchtime supervisors

  • Breakfast and after school club staff

  • Catering staff

  • Site and support staff who are present while pupils are on site

  • Supply, temporary and agency staff

  • Peripatetic staff

  • Governors

  • Regular volunteers

  • Staff working within pupil referral units

  • People working within other educational and childcare settings

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The qualification is designed for anyone who may need to recognise an allergic reaction, respond to an emergency or help provide a safe and inclusive environment for children and young people with allergies.

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Successful candidates will:

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  • Understand why allergy safety is important in schools

  • Understand the documents and policies used to manage allergies

  • Recognise common allergic conditions and their triggers

  • Understand the difference between food allergy, food intolerance and coeliac disease

  • Recognise allergic reactions and life-threatening anaphylaxis

  • Understand how to respond when anaphylaxis is suspected

  • Understand how emergency allergy medication may be accessed and used

  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack

  • Understand how to respond to an asthma emergency

  • Understand how allergies can affect a child’s health and wellbeing

  • Understand how serious incidents and near misses should be recorded and reported

 

This qualification forms part of the Qualsafe Awards First Aid suite of qualifications.

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The qualification and its learning outcomes are based on:

  • Department for Education statutory guidance on allergy safety in schools

  • Current best practice for managing allergies, anaphylaxis and asthma in educational environments

  • Guidance relating to emergency adrenaline and asthma medication in schools

  • Input from subject specialists in allergy awareness, safeguarding and emergency response

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Why choose DTMK Training Services?

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DTMK Training Services is an approved Qualsafe Awards Centre.

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Training is delivered by qualified teachers and clinically experienced first aid trainers and assessors. We provide clear, supportive and realistic training that helps learners understand not only what they should do, but why it matters.

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We are based in Milton Keynes and provide on-site training for schools and educational settings across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas.

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Contact us to arrange training at your school

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Telephone: 01908 112111

Email: enquiries@dtmk.co.uk

School staff watching a trainer demonstrate an adrenaline auto-injector during allergy and anaphylaxis awareness training.

What is covered 

  • Why allergy safety in schools is important

  • The Department for Education’s allergy safety guidance

  • School allergy safety policies

  • Medical Conditions Policies

  • Individual Healthcare Plans

  • Allergy Action Plans

  • Asthma Action Plans

  • Supporting children to manage their medical conditions

  • What an allergy is and how allergic reactions happen

  • Common allergic conditions and triggers

  • Mild, moderate and severe allergic reactions

  • The difference between allergy, food intolerance and coeliac disease

  • Major food allergens

  • Accessing prescribed emergency medication

  • Spare adrenaline auto-injectors

  • Spare emergency asthma inhalers

  • Recognising anaphylaxis

  • Airway, Breathing and Circulation problems

  • Responding to suspected anaphylaxis

  • Emergency casualty positioning

  • Calling the emergency services

  • Assisting with emergency medication

  • Starting CPR if a casualty becomes unresponsive

  • Recognising an asthma attack

  • Responding to an asthma emergency

  • The effect of allergies on a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing

  • Recording and reporting serious incidents

  • Recognising and recording near misses

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Learners will also be introduced to adrenaline auto-injector training devices and asthma inhaler equipment as part of the course.

Important information about practical competence

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This is a knowledge and awareness qualification. It does not assess practical, hands-on first aid competence.

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The qualification must not be relied upon as a replacement for practical first aid training where this is required by legislation, an employer’s policy, safeguarding arrangements or the needs of an individual child.

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Schools must also ensure that any individual healthcare support required by a particular pupil is provided through the appropriate clinical, competency and governance arrangements.

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Intended audience

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This qualification is for people working or volunteering in schools and other educational settings who may need to recognise allergic reactions, respond to emergencies such as anaphylaxis or asthma attacks, and support the safe and inclusive management of allergies within their setting.

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Entry requirements

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Learners must be at least 16 years old on the first day of training.

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There are no other formal entry requirements. However, we strongly recommend that learners have a minimum of Level 1 literacy and numeracy, or an equivalent level.

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Learners will need sufficient English language skills to understand the course and complete the multiple choice assessment. Please contact us before booking if a learner may require a reasonable adjustment.

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Other course requirements

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Learners must provide suitable identification in accordance with Qualsafe Awards requirements.

 

The school must provide a suitable private training room with:

  • Appropriate seating and writing surfaces

  • Sufficient lighting, heating and ventilation

  • Access to toilet facilities

  • Suitable audiovisual facilities or permission for DTMK to provide the necessary equipment

  • Enough space for learners to sit at least one metre apart during the assessment

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There are no floor-level practical assessments on this course, so learners do not need to wear practical first aid clothing.

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Assessment

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Learners complete one multiple choice question paper.

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The assessment consists of:

  • 20 multiple choice questions

  • A maximum assessment time of 30 minutes

  • A minimum score of 14 out of 20 to pass

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Learners must successfully complete the assessment to receive the qualification.

 

The maximum period for completing the qualification, including any permitted referral, is four weeks.

Requalification requirements

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This qualification is valid for one year.

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Learners need to retake the qualification and assessment on or before the certificate expiry date to remain qualified.

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This supports the Department for Education guidance that school staff should receive allergy awareness training regularly and at least annually.

 

Key Qualification Information

Qualification number: 610/7651/X

Operational start date: 1 September 2026

Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 2

Total Qualification Time (TQT): 2

Number of units: 1 mandatory unit

•   Theory assessment/multiple choice question paper: 

Assessment methods:

•   One 20 question multiple choice paper

Maximum group size: 16 learners per trainer

Certification period: 1 year

Maximum completion period, including referrals: 4 weeks

 

 

Learners must complete all assessments successfully within the registration period to achieve the qualification. The maximum period to achieve this qualification, including any referrals is 4 weeks.

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