Benedict's Law

Following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe from an allergic reaction at school, the Benedict Blythe Foundation launched a campaign to improve allergy safety for children in education. What began as one family's determination to prevent another tragedy became a national movement that delivered the most significant improvement in school allergy safety ever undertaken in England.

The campaign led to the introduction of Benedict's Law, the first time allergy has been recognised in primary legislation in England. The reforms bring new protections for over 680,000 pupils with allergies and drive training for at least 1.15 million adults working in education settings.

Uniquely, the legislation establishes a consistent national framework across all schools, including academies, maintained schools, independent schools and fee-paying special schools, ensuring that a child's safety is no longer determined by the type of school they attend. It also creates a platform for future improvements in allergy policy and practice.

This represents one of the largest health awareness and training initiatives ever delivered through the education system. The impact extends beyond schools, with 1.15 million adults taking that knowledge into their homes, workplaces and communities, while millions of children will grow up in environments where allergy awareness and inclusion are normalised.

The campaign's influence is already being felt internationally. In the same year Benedict's Law was secured, Lithuania introduced comparable reforms and legislation was proposed in Ireland that would deliver similar protections for children, with other countries set to follow.