House of Commons · Westminster Hall
30 November 2023 · 6 other contributors · 12,321 words
Opened by Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Responding minister: David Johnston
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Jim Shannon raised concerns about school pupils with allergies — [graham stringer in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The lead MP asks for new legislation to make it mandatory for schools to have an allergies policy and tailored healthcare plans for all pupils with allergies. This would include statutory allergy policies, individual healthcare plans for all children with allergies, spare adrenaline auto-injector pens in every school, and training for school staff and teachers in allergy awareness and first aid.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Food allergy affects around 7% to 8% of children worldwide, or about two children in an average-sized classroom of 25. There is a need for schools to be better prepared to manage the increasing number of children with allergies entering a classroom. The lack of universal standardisation of school allergy policies is a concern given that around a quarter of allergic reactions to food in children occur at school, some of which result in fatalities from anaphylaxis.
She thanked Jim Shannon for raising the debate, highlighted Helen's work with the Benedict Blythe Foundation, and detailed Benedict's allergies that led to his death. She raised concerns about the 18% of food allergy reactions and 25% of first-time anaphylactic reactions occurring in school settings, citing 66 schoolchildren dying from allergic reactions between 1998 and 2018. She stressed the importance of supporting children with allergies to lessen their stress and ensure they feel safe. Asked the Minister to consider including an allergy code on the Department for Education's website to ensure all schools are aware of it. Emphasized that teachers need training to use auto-injectors confidently, suggesting funding or a process to provide such training. Alicia Kearns inquired whether Ofsted reviews schools' compliance with allergy guidance during inspections. She suggested that making this a part of Ofsted's reviews could ensure the safety of children and address gaps in current practices. Moved the House with her speech about Benedict Blythe, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness for allergies in schools.
School should be a safe place for all children, but those with allergies face significant challenges and stress. Over 20% of the UK population has an allergic disorder, and food-induced anaphylaxis hospital admissions have tripled over the past two decades. Schools are unaware of 30% of food allergies among pupils, highlighting the need for better guidance and practices.
Emphasised the importance of securing a national plan to address allergic diseases in schools, highlighting the rising prevalence of allergies among young people and the need for consistent guidelines. He suggested that schools should have an allergy policy, co-create individual healthcare plans with parents, hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, and train staff in allergy awareness.
Discussed the importance of legislative measures like Natasha's law in Scotland, emphasizing the need for more than just guidance from all governments to address allergies in schools. Highlighted existing Scottish Government guidelines and healthcare support requirements for students with allergies.
Focused on school catering policies that cater to children's dietary needs, including those related to allergies.
Commemorated the debate's importance, highlighting the need for mandatory allergy policies in schools to prevent tragedies such as deaths of up to six children annually due to food allergies. Stressed that around 30% of allergy reactions occur in previously unknown cases or unreported allergies, advocating for strict anaphylaxis plans and readily available EpiPens. Discussed exclusionary practices against children with allergies during lunchtimes, emphasizing the need for more funding and training for caterers to provide varied and nutritious meals for these pupils.
Government Response
David JohnstonThanked the hon. Member for Strangford for securing the debate and acknowledged the tragic case of Benedict Blythe. Stated the importance of raising awareness about allergies in schools through initiatives like the recently launched school allergy code. Emphasized that statutory guidance under the Children and Families Act 2014 requires governing bodies to have policies and processes in place to manage medical conditions, including allergies. Mentioned the Department of Health and Social Care's guidance on adrenaline auto-injectors and emergency inhalers for schools. Discussed the role of Ofsted in inspecting safeguarding measures that include a wide range of vulnerabilities children may face. Highlighted changes made to early years foundation stage frameworks regarding adequate supervision while children are eating. Indicated willingness to meet with hon. Members to discuss further actions, including setting up an expert advisory group on allergy and monitoring the effectiveness of allergen policies.