Closed petition Adopt Benedict’s Law and updated statutory guidance in schools.
Wales has fallen behind England in protecting vulnerable pupils with allergies and medical conditions in educational settings.
Benedict’s Law and updated statutory guidance would provide stronger protections for these children in Wales.
No child should suffer preventable harm because of inconsistent procedures, inadequate training, poor communication, or outdated guidance. These changes would help ensure schools apply robust safety and inclusion measures consistently across Wales.
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Children with severe allergies attend educational settings every day at risk of anaphylaxis — a rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within minutes. Families place huge trust in these settings to keep their children safe through proper staff training, clear policies, and effective emergency responses. Sadly, this is not always happening consistently.
England has already strengthened allergy awareness and safeguarding expectations. Wales has the opportunity to do the same.
Current statutory guidance in Wales on managing allergies and medical conditions is not robust enough. Practice varies between local authorities and settings, creating inconsistency and leaving some children less protected and included than others.
This issue affects not only children with allergies, but also children with asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, and other long-term health conditions. Families need confidence that schools are safe, informed, prepared and inclusive.
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