EpiPens for Schools: What the Latest Guidance Means

With the new school year underway, schools in England need to make sure their allergy safety arrangements are up to date under the Department for Education's Allergy safety in schools statutory guidance. This includes checking emergency adrenaline auto-injectors, replacing expired or used devices, and making sure staff know what to do in an emergency.

What Are the Latest Rules for Schools?

Whole-School Allergy Policy

Schools will now have to publish their own standalone allergy safety policy. The old rules meant it could be hidden within a general medical conditions policy. This must be owned by a named senior leader, reviewed at least annually, and published (e.g. on a school website).

Individual Healthcare Plans

For pupils with allergies that have a functional impact or require specific arrangements.

Training for Staff

Comprehensive allergy awareness and emergency response training for all members of staff, not just first aiders.

Emergency Medication

Hold spare adrenaline devices which must be in date on site. They are not a second set of devices prescribed for individuals but ones that can be used by any child or adult during anaphylaxis. A child may experience a severe allergic reaction even if they have never previously been diagnosed with an allergy.

Check the school's existing stock of adrenaline devices.

A Practical Checklist

• Check expiry dates
• Replace any expired devices
• Replace any devices that have been used
• Check the correct strengths are available
• Check devices are stored correctly
• Make sure staff know where they are
• Make sure they can be accessed quickly

What Else Should Schools Do to Prepare for an Allergic Emergency?

Schools should make sure that they are easy to reach and not locked away. Ideally, they should be kept in pairs. The recommended number of spare AAIs depends on the type and size of the school. As a guide, state-funded nurseries are recommended to hold 2 x 150mcg pens, while primary schools are recommended to have 2 x 150mcg and 2 x 300mcg pens. Secondary schools are recommended to keep 2–4 x 300mcg pens on site, with larger or more spread-out schools potentially needing more. Schools should be able to access and administer an AAI within 5 minutes.

Staff should know how to recognise the signs of a serious allergic reaction and what to do in an emergency. If anaphylaxis is suspected, adrenaline should be given promptly, and emergency medical help should be called. Schools should make sure relevant staff know where emergency devices are kept and how to access them quickly.

How to Get Spare Pens

Schools can order them without an individual prescription. All that is needed to place an order for an AAI is a signed letter on school headed paper from the headteacher, which has been possible since the 2017 Department of Health guidance. If your school needs to replace expired or used AAIs, or review its emergency allergy medication, Pharmacy Planet can help. We supply EpiPens and Jext for schools, with a range of strengths available and expiry dates taken into consideration when fulfilling orders. Visit our EpiPens for Schools page to find out more and make sure your school is prepared.

Having the right pens ready and in date can make all the difference if an emergency happens.

Sources

• Department for Education: Allergy Safety in Schools
• Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 (c. 21), which provides for allergy safety in schools alongside amendments to the Children and Families Act 2014
• Anaphylaxis UK: Benedict's Law overview
• Department of Health's 2017 rules: Using emergency adrenaline auto-injectors in schools