2-Hour Ofqual-Regulated Course | Certificate Valid for 1 Year

Help make your school or education setting safer for children and young people living with allergies.

The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness (RQF) is a focused two-hour regulated qualification designed to give staff and volunteers the knowledge and confidence to recognise allergic reactions, respond appropriately to anaphylaxis and asthma, and understand their responsibilities for allergy safety within education settings.

The qualification has become particularly important following the introduction of new statutory allergy-safety requirements for schools in England, often referred to as Benedict’s Law. From the 2026–27 academic year, schools are subject to strengthened requirements around allergy policies, staff training, emergency preparedness and the management of pupils with allergies.

Why This Training Is Important

Severe allergic reactions can develop rapidly and may become life-threatening within minutes.

School staff may be the first people to recognise that a child is developing an allergic reaction. Prompt recognition, appropriate first aid and rapid access to emergency treatment can therefore be critical.

The new statutory allergy-safety framework requires schools to take a more consistent whole-school approach to allergy management. Department for Education guidance includes requirements around allergy-safety policies, staff training, individual healthcare planning, incident reporting and emergency preparedness.

This qualification helps staff understand what allergy is, how reactions may present and what action should be taken when a child or young person becomes unwell.

Who Is This Course For?

The course is designed for staff and volunteers working in schools and education settings who may be responsible for the care, supervision or safety of children and young people.

It may be particularly suitable for:

• Teachers

• Teaching assistants

• Headteachers and senior leaders

• School administrators

• Reception staff

• Lunchtime supervisors

• School catering staff

• School nurses and healthcare staff

• SEND staff

• Pastoral and safeguarding teams

• Sports coaches

• PE staff

• Minibus and transport staff

• Caretakers and site staff

• Volunteers

• After-school club staff

• Anyone who may need to recognise or respond to an allergic emergency

Because a reaction can occur anywhere on school premises, allergy awareness should not be limited only to designated first aiders. Current guidance expects a whole-school approach to staff awareness and emergency response.

What You Will Learn

The course covers the key knowledge and practical awareness required to recognise and respond to allergy-related emergencies.

Learners will develop an understanding of:

• How to manage allergies safely within a school environment

• What an allergy is

• How allergic reactions occur

• Common triggers and allergens

• Mild, moderate and severe allergic reactions

• The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis

• The signs and symptoms of asthma

• How to provide first aid for suspected anaphylaxis

• How to respond to an asthma attack

• How allergic reactions should be treated

• The importance of early escalation

• The impact allergies can have on a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing

• How allergy-related incidents should be reported and recorded

These learning areas reflect the core content identified in the Qualsafe course materials.

Understanding Allergies

Learners are introduced to the basic principles of allergy, including:

• What happens during an allergic reaction

• Common food and environmental allergens

• How reactions can vary between individuals

• Why a previously mild reaction does not necessarily predict the severity of a future reaction

• The importance of individual allergy management plans

• Avoidance and risk-reduction measures

The course encourages staff to understand that allergy management is not simply about reacting to emergencies; it also requires prevention, awareness and good communication.

Recognising Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction.

Learners are taught to recognise important warning signs, which may include:

• Airway swelling

• Difficulty breathing

• Wheeze

• Persistent cough

• Voice change

• Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat

• Collapse

• Dizziness

• Reduced responsiveness

• Widespread skin changes

• Rapid clinical deterioration

The course emphasises the importance of acting quickly when anaphylaxis is suspected.

Emergency Response

Learners develop an understanding of what to do when an allergic emergency occurs, including:

• Recognising the reaction promptly

• Calling for appropriate assistance

• Following the individual child’s emergency plan where available

• Calling 999 when required

• Understanding the role of adrenaline auto-injectors

• Providing appropriate first aid

• Monitoring the child

• Communicating clearly with emergency services

• Providing an effective handover

• Recording and reporting the incident afterwards

Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

The new allergy-safety framework places increased emphasis on preparedness for anaphylaxis, including access to emergency adrenaline devices.

Schools are expected to have appropriate arrangements for adrenaline auto-injectors and staff training as part of their allergy-safety provision.

The course helps learners understand:

• Why adrenaline is used in anaphylaxis

• When emergency escalation is required

• The role of prescribed and emergency adrenaline devices

• The importance of following school procedures and individual healthcare plans

• The need for ongoing monitoring after treatment

Asthma Awareness

Allergic disease and asthma can overlap, and respiratory symptoms may complicate the assessment of an unwell child.

The qualification therefore includes recognition of:

• Common asthma symptoms

• Signs of worsening respiratory distress

• How to respond to an asthma attack

• When emergency assistance is required

• The importance of following the child’s individual care plan

Allergy Safety in Schools

The course also develops awareness of broader allergy management responsibilities.

Learners consider:

• Creating a safer school environment

• Identifying pupils with known allergies

• Understanding individual healthcare plans

• Reducing avoidable exposure to allergens

• Communication between staff, pupils and parents

• Managing school trips and activities

• Catering and food-related considerations

• Responding to incidents and near misses

• Learning from previous events

• Promoting inclusion rather than unnecessary exclusion

From September 2026, statutory guidance requires relevant schools in England to have an allergy-safety policy and to take structured action to support pupils with allergies.

Supporting the Child’s Wellbeing

Allergies can affect much more than physical health.

Children with severe allergies may experience:

• Anxiety

• Fear of eating

• Social exclusion

• Worry about school trips

• Concern about bullying or stigma

• Reduced participation in activities

• Anxiety around unfamiliar staff or environments

The Qualsafe syllabus specifically includes understanding the impact allergies can have on a child’s wellbeing.

Staff are encouraged to support children in a way that promotes both safety and inclusion.

Reporting and Recording

Following an allergy-related incident, appropriate documentation is essential.

Learners develop awareness of:

• Recording what happened

• Documenting actions taken

• Reporting serious incidents and near misses

• Communicating with relevant school leaders and parents or carers

• Reviewing whether further preventative measures are required

Incident reporting and learning from near misses are also highlighted within the new statutory school-allergy framework.

Course Duration

This is a 2-hour course.

It provides focused training that can be delivered efficiently to school and education staff while still leading to a nationally regulated qualification.

Assessment

Learners must successfully complete the required assessment in accordance with Qualsafe requirements.

Booking and attendance alone do not automatically guarantee certification.

Certification

Successful learners receive the:

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

The qualification is Ofqual regulated, and the certificate is valid for one year.

Annual training is particularly relevant because allergy awareness and emergency response training for school staff is now part of the strengthened statutory allergy-safety arrangements in England.

Benedict’s Law and the New School Allergy Requirements

The new measures follow campaigning after the death of Benedict Blythe, a five-year-old child who died following an allergic reaction at school.

The resulting changes introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 strengthen allergy-safety responsibilities for schools and provide a statutory basis for measures including allergy policies, staff training, incident reporting and emergency medication arrangements.

From September 2026, relevant schools in England are expected to implement the new allergy-safety requirements as part of their statutory responsibilities.

Why Train With PLAB Guide Training Centre?

PLAB Guide Training Centre is a Qualsafe registered training centre providing regulated healthcare, first aid and emergency training.

We can support schools and education organisations with:

• Individual staff bookings

• Whole-school training

• Group bookings

• On-site training for organisations

• Regulated Qualsafe certification

• Experienced healthcare and first-aid instructors

• Practical, clinically focused teaching

• Training for teachers and non-clinical school staff

• Flexible arrangements for larger organisations

• Training at our Manchester centre or, where arranged, at the client’s venue

Our aim is to help schools move beyond simple awareness and ensure staff understand how to recognise an allergic emergency and take appropriate action.

Training for Your Whole School

With allergy awareness now forming part of the strengthened statutory safety arrangements for schools, organisations may wish to arrange training for multiple staff members rather than relying solely on designated first aiders.

PLAB Guide Training Centre can provide group training for:

• Primary schools

• Secondary schools

• Academies

• Special schools

• Alternative provision

• Education trusts

• School groups

• Local education organisations

Please contact us for group and on-site training arrangements.

Book the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness Course

Prepare your staff to recognise and respond appropriately to allergy-related emergencies.

Book the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness (RQF) with PLAB Guide Training Centre.

Course duration: 2 hours
Qualification: Ofqual-regulated Level 3 Award
Certificate validity: 1 year
Ideal for: School staff, education professionals and volunteers responsible for children and young people