Anaphylaxis, EURneffy and Benedict’s Law: What Schools and Families Need to Know

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can develop rapidly and requires immediate treatment. Although the possibility of anaphylaxis can feel frightening, a calm and prepared response can make an enormous difference.

Adrenaline remains the essential emergency treatment. Many people will recognise adrenaline auto-injectors such as EpiPen and Jext, but a needle-free nasal adrenaline device called EURneffy is now also available by prescription in the UK.

Allergy safety in schools is changing too. From September 2026, new legal requirements commonly known as Benedict’s Law will strengthen the way schools in England plan for and support pupils with allergies.

These developments should not make school staff, parents or pupils feel more anxious. Their purpose is to replace uncertainty with clearer planning, better awareness and quicker access to effective treatment.

What Is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction affecting the airway, breathing or circulation. It can occur after exposure to substances such as foods, medicines, insect stings or latex, although the cause is not always immediately obvious.

A reaction may begin with relatively familiar allergy symptoms. Someone might develop itchy skin, hives or swelling. However, anaphylaxis becomes an emergency when there are potentially life-threatening problems involving the person’s airway, breathing or circulation.

Warning signs can include:

• swelling of the tongue or throat

• difficulty swallowing or speaking

• noisy, difficult or wheezing breathing

• persistent coughing or a change in voice

• pale, cold or clammy skin

• dizziness, confusion or collapse

• a sudden feeling that something is seriously wrong

Skin changes are common, but they are not always present. Waiting for a rash before taking action could therefore delay treatment.

According to the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 First Aid Guidelines, anaphylaxis should be suspected when serious breathing or circulation problems develop, particularly following possible exposure to an allergen.

Why Adrenaline Matters

Adrenaline acts quickly on several of the dangerous effects of anaphylaxis. It can help reduce swelling, support blood pressure and make breathing easier.

Antihistamines may help some mild allergic symptoms, but they are not a substitute for adrenaline when anaphylaxis is suspected. An asthma inhaler must not be used instead of adrenaline either. It may help wheezing in someone with asthma, but it cannot treat all the life-threatening effects of anaphylaxis.

People who have been assessed as being at risk will normally receive an individual Allergy Action Plan and be prescribed emergency adrenaline. The plan should explain their known allergens, warning signs and the device they have been prescribed.

The most useful response is not to debate whether every symptom perfectly fits a definition. It is to recognise the possibility of anaphylaxis, follow the person’s emergency plan and obtain help immediately.

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What Should You Do If You Suspect Anaphylaxis?

The emergency response should remain simple and decisive:

1. Call 999 and say that you suspect anaphylaxis.

2. Give the person’s prescribed adrenaline promptly, following their Allergy Action Plan and the instructions for their particular device.

3. Help the person lie down. If breathing is difficult, they may sit up with their legs extended. Do not allow them to stand or walk.

4. Remove the trigger if this can be done safely and easily, but do not delay treatment.

5. If symptoms continue, follow the person’s emergency plan and device instructions concerning the second dose.

6. Stay with the person, monitor their condition and be prepared to begin CPR if they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally.

Resuscitation Council UK advises that a second dose of adrenaline delivered by auto-injector should be given if symptoms persist five minutes after the first. People prescribed EURneffy should follow the instructions supplied with the medicine and their individual treatment plan.

An ambulance must always be called following emergency adrenaline. Improvement after the first dose does not remove the need for professional assessment.

What Is EURneffy?

EURneffy is a single-dose adrenaline nasal spray used for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. Instead of using a needle, the device delivers adrenaline into one nostril.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency first approved the 2 mg version in July 2025. It is intended for adults and children aged ten years and over who weigh at least 30 kg.

In June 2026, the MHRA approved a lower 1 mg dose for children aged four years and over who weigh between 15 kg and 30 kg. The MHRA’s EURneffy announcement also confirms that the spray can be used when the person has a congested nose.

EURneffy is a prescription-only medicine. It provides another treatment option rather than making adrenaline auto-injectors obsolete. A healthcare professional should decide which product and dose are appropriate for each person.

People prescribed EURneffy should carry two devices, just as people prescribed auto-injectors are normally expected to have access to two doses. Anyone helping in an emergency should follow the person’s Allergy Action Plan and the instructions supplied with the device.

For some people, a nasal device may reduce anxiety about needles. However, training remains important. Staff and family members need to recognise the emergency, locate the device quickly and understand how to administer it correctly.

What Is Benedict’s Law?

Benedict’s Law is the widely used name for new allergy safety protections introduced following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe.

Benedict died after experiencing an allergic reaction at school in 2021. His family subsequently campaigned for consistent allergy awareness, planning and emergency preparedness across schools, so that safety would not depend entirely on the arrangements made by an individual setting.

The resulting changes represent an important shift. Allergy safety should no longer be left entirely to one trained member of staff or considered only when a particular child joins the school. It needs to become part of the school’s wider culture, policies and everyday planning.

Benedict’s Law is therefore about more than keeping an adrenaline device in a cupboard. It is about ensuring that pupils with allergies can participate in school life safely, confidently and without unnecessary exclusion.

What Changes for Schools in September 2026?

From September 2026, local authority maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England must have an allergy safety policy. The policy must be reviewed at least annually, shared within the school and with parents, and published on the school’s website.

Schools must also have regard to the Department for Education’s new statutory allergy safety guidance.

The guidance helps schools establish:

• clear responsibility for allergy safety

• suitable Individual Healthcare Plans

• allergy awareness training for staff

• reliable access to prescribed emergency medication

• appropriate arrangements for trips, clubs and activities

• systems for recording incidents and near misses

• regular reviews when circumstances change

The Government also has powers to introduce further regulations covering staff training, spare adrenaline devices and incident reporting. Schools should therefore follow the current statutory guidance while watching for subsequent regulations and official updates.

Independent schools and non-maintained special schools are not presently covered by the same statutory guidance. The Government has stated that it intends to introduce equivalent requirements through the relevant standards. Early years settings and further education providers can also use the guidance as a valuable model of good practice.

Training and Benedict’s Law

A written allergy policy is only effective when people understand how to put it into practice. Staff need to recognise when an allergic reaction has become an emergency, know where medication is kept and feel able to take prompt action.

Awareness training should not be confined to one first aider or the member of staff responsible for medical records. Anaphylaxis may occur in a classroom, dining hall, playground, sports field, minibus or after-school club. The nearest adult may be the person who needs to begin the emergency response.

A new two-hour Qualsafe Level 2 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness (RQF) is expected to become available soon. This regulated qualification should provide schools and other organisations with a structured way to develop allergy awareness among their staff.

DTMK intends to provide further details when the qualification has been formally released, its final specification has been confirmed and DTMK is approved to offer it.

Schools should not delay necessary preparations while waiting for the new qualification. They should continue to follow current Department for Education guidance and arrange suitable awareness training based on their pupils, staff and activities.

EURneffy and Emergency Adrenaline in Schools

A pupil who has been prescribed EURneffy may bring their own nasal adrenaline devices into school, supported by their Individual Healthcare Plan and Allergy Action Plan.

However, schools cannot currently purchase EURneffy as their general spare adrenaline supply in the same way that they can obtain spare adrenaline auto-injectors. Current regulations permit eligible schools to obtain spare auto-injectors for emergency use, subject to the relevant safeguards and authorisation.

This distinction matters. A school should not assume that holding spare auto-injectors removes the need to manage a pupil’s prescribed nasal medication. Equally, a pupil’s EURneffy prescription does not remove the value of appropriately managed spare auto-injectors.

The school’s policy should explain where medication is stored, who can access it and how it remains available during lessons, breaks, clubs, trips and off-site activities. Emergency adrenaline should be easy to reach and must not disappear inside a locked office when it is urgently needed.

Building a Supportive Allergy-Safe School

Good allergy management should protect a child without making them feel like a problem.

A pupil should be able to attend lessons, eat with friends, join school trips and participate in normal activities wherever reasonable adjustments can make that possible. Staff should listen to the child and family, while also working with healthcare professionals and using reliable clinical guidance.

Blanket statements such as “allergen-free school” or “nut-free school” can create false reassurance because no environment can guarantee the complete absence of an allergen. A more effective policy explains how the school reduces risk, prevents cross-contact, shares information appropriately and prepares for emergencies.

Children with allergies may also experience anxiety, embarrassment or fear of being treated differently. A supportive school challenges bullying, avoids unnecessary isolation and ensures that age-appropriate education helps other pupils understand allergies without identifying or humiliating an individual child.

Good preparation should allow children to take part more fully, not give a school another reason to exclude them.

Real World Examples

A Pupil Prescribed EURneffy

A pupil has a confirmed food allergy and has been prescribed two EURneffy nasal devices. Their Individual Healthcare Plan records the correct device, storage arrangements and emergency procedure.

During lunch, the pupil develops throat tightness and difficulty breathing. A member of staff recognises the symptoms, calls 999 and administers the prescribed device in accordance with the pupil’s plan. Another member of staff collects the second device and meets the ambulance crew.

The response works because everyone understands their role before the emergency occurs.

A First Allergic Reaction at School

A child with no previous allergy diagnosis develops hives, becomes wheezy and starts to look pale shortly after eating.

Staff do not dismiss the reaction simply because the child has no existing Allergy Action Plan. They call 999, explain that anaphylaxis is suspected and follow the emergency operator’s instructions. Where the legal requirements and school protocol permit, an authorised spare auto-injector may be used.

This example is important because a child’s first serious allergic reaction can occur in an education setting.

A Reaction During a School Trip

A pupil’s medication is normally easy to locate in school, but a trip creates a different environment. The school includes allergy arrangements in its planning, assigns responsibility for carrying the medication and ensures that accompanying staff understand the emergency plan.

The child can participate without being unnecessarily excluded, while the adults remain properly prepared.

An Adult at a Community Event

An adult begins experiencing facial swelling, breathing difficulty and dizziness after eating. A first aider helps them use their prescribed adrenaline, calls 999 and keeps them in a safe position while waiting for the ambulance.

The first aider does not need an advanced understanding of immunology. They need to recognise the warning signs, act promptly and follow a clear process.

Why This Matters in Milton Keynes

Schools, nurseries, community groups and employers across Milton Keynes support people with a wide range of allergies. Each setting has a slightly different environment, but the principles remain consistent: sensible prevention, accessible medication and confident emergency action.

Milton Keynes organisations should use the national guidance as a starting point, then consider how it applies to their own buildings, staffing, activities and travel arrangements.

A written policy is valuable, but it cannot replace practical confidence. Staff need to understand what an adrenaline device looks like, where it is kept and what they should do when a reaction develops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EURneffy replacing EpiPen and other auto-injectors?

No. EURneffy provides a needle-free alternative for people to whom it has been prescribed. Adrenaline auto-injectors remain widely used and continue to provide effective emergency treatment. A healthcare professional should determine the appropriate product for each individual.

Can a school use EURneffy on any pupil?

No. EURneffy is a prescription-only medicine and should be used for the person for whom it was prescribed, following their Allergy Action Plan. The current arrangements for schools purchasing spare adrenaline apply to auto-injectors, not general spare EURneffy devices.

Does every member of school staff need allergy training?

The statutory guidance supports allergy awareness training across the school workforce because an emergency can happen anywhere. Further regulations concerning specific training duties are expected, so schools should monitor Department for Education updates.

Will the new Qualsafe qualification meet a school’s training needs?

The final specification and delivery requirements should be checked when Qualsafe formally releases the qualification. A two-hour regulated awareness course could become a valuable part of staff development, but each school must ensure its complete arrangements satisfy current statutory guidance and the needs of its pupils.

Should someone experiencing anaphylaxis be allowed to walk?

No. Resuscitation Council UK advises that the person should lie down. Someone struggling to breathe may sit up with their legs extended, but they should not stand or walk because this can contribute to a dangerous fall in blood pressure.

Can an antihistamine treat anaphylaxis?

Antihistamines may help mild skin symptoms, but they do not replace adrenaline in an anaphylactic emergency. Do not delay adrenaline while waiting to see whether an antihistamine works.

Does a school allergy policy replace an individual plan?

No. The school policy explains the setting’s overall arrangements. A pupil’s Individual Healthcare Plan and Allergy Action Plan record their personal allergens, medication and emergency needs. The documents should work together.

Summary

Anaphylaxis is serious, but the emergency response can remain clear: recognise the warning signs, give the prescribed adrenaline promptly, call 999 and keep the person in a safe position.

EURneffy introduces a needle-free adrenaline option for eligible adults and children, while auto-injectors remain an important and effective treatment.

From September 2026, Benedict’s Law strengthens allergy safety in English schools. The new requirements place greater emphasis on published policies, individual planning, staff awareness and consistent preparation.

The forthcoming Qualsafe Level 2 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness should provide another structured training option. DTMK will publish details once the qualification is formally available and approved for delivery.

The purpose of all these changes is not to make children, families or school staff frightened. It is to help pupils participate in school life with sensible protection and adults who know how to respond.

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Training in Milton Keynes

DTMK Limited provides supportive, practical training for schools, workplaces, healthcare teams and community organisations in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.

Training helps learners recognise a serious allergic reaction, understand the importance of prompt emergency treatment and become more confident around adrenaline devices. It can also help organisations turn written policies into arrangements that work in classrooms, workplaces and community settings.

DTMK expects to offer the new Qualsafe Level 2 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness (RQF) when it becomes available. This regulated two-hour qualification should provide a concise option for organisations seeking recognised allergy and anaphylaxis awareness training.

Schools preparing for Benedict’s Law may find it particularly valuable as part of their wider staff development. Further information, including availability and booking arrangements, will be published when the qualification has been formally released and DTMK has been approved to deliver it.

In the meantime, you can view DTMK’s existing BLS, AED and anaphylaxis training or contact DTMK to discuss the needs of your school, organisation or team.

This article provides general information and does not replace medical advice, an individual Allergy Action Plan or the instructions supplied with prescribed medication.