Can academies and independent schools buy spare EpiPens?

Yes. Eligible schools in England, including academies and independent schools, can purchase spare EpiPens and other adrenaline auto injectors without a prescription for emergency use.

Are special schools required to have spare adrenaline auto injectors?

Special schools should conduct a thorough allergy risk assessment and have clear policies on emergency preparedness. Many choose to hold spare adrenaline auto injectors as part of their safeguarding procedures.

How do alternative provision settings manage allergy emergencies?

Alternative provision settings should have clear allergy management procedures, trained staff, and access to spare adrenaline auto injectors. Regular communication with pupils, parents and healthcare providers is essential.

What about free schools and their allergy policies?

Free schools should follow the same allergy safety standards as maintained schools, including having clear policies, trained staff, and access to spare adrenaline auto injectors where appropriate.

How can we ensure consistency across multiple school sites?

Multi-site settings should develop standardized allergy management procedures, ensure all staff receive consistent training, and maintain clear communication channels between sites regarding pupil allergies and emergency procedures.

Adrenaline Auto Injectors for Academies, Independent Schools and Other Education Settings

Every school has a responsibility to protect pupils with severe allergies. Whether you manage an academy, free school, independent school, special school or alternative provision setting, having effective allergy management procedures and access to adrenaline auto injectors (AAIs) is an important part of creating a safe learning environment.

While every setting is unique, the need to recognise and respond quickly to anaphylaxis remains the same. This guide explains how different education settings can improve allergy safety, prepare for Benedict's Law, and purchase EpiPens and other adrenaline auto injectors for emergency use.

Why Allergy Safety Matters in All Education Settings

Food allergies affect children and young people of all ages, and severe allergic reactions can occur without warning. In some cases, a pupil may experience their first episode of anaphylaxis while at school.

Every education setting should have clear procedures for identifying pupils with allergies, responding to emergencies and ensuring staff understand their responsibilities.

A robust approach to allergy management helps schools:

Protect pupils at risk of severe allergic reactions.
Improve emergency preparedness.
Ensure staff recognise the signs of anaphylaxis.
Support parents, carers and healthcare professionals.
Meet current Department for Education expectations for allergy safety.

What Is an Adrenaline Auto Injector?

An adrenaline auto injector (AAI) is a pre-filled medical device used to deliver adrenaline during a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis.

Adrenaline is the recommended first-line emergency treatment for anaphylaxis and should be administered immediately when symptoms are recognised.

Licensed adrenaline auto injectors available in the UK include EpiPen®, Jext® and Emerade®.

Can Schools Keep Spare Adrenaline Auto Injectors?

Yes. Eligible schools in England can purchase spare adrenaline auto injectors without a prescription for emergency use, provided they comply with current legislation and Department for Education guidance.

Spare adrenaline auto injectors are intended for use in an emergency where a pupil has been diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis and:

Their own adrenaline auto injector is unavailable.
Their prescribed device has been damaged or has misfired.
A second dose of adrenaline is needed while waiting for an ambulance.

Many schools choose to keep spare EpiPens or other adrenaline auto injectors as part of their emergency medical arrangements.

Guidance for Different Education Settings

Academies

Academies should have robust allergy management procedures that align with the latest Department for Education guidance. This includes maintaining an up-to-date allergy policy, ensuring staff receive appropriate training and considering the provision of spare adrenaline auto injectors for emergency use.

Free Schools

Free schools should adopt clear procedures for managing pupils with severe allergies. Effective communication with parents, Individual Healthcare Plans and access to emergency adrenaline auto injectors all contribute to a safer learning environment.

Independent Schools

Independent schools should ensure their allergy management procedures reflect current best practice. Regular staff training, emergency response planning and appropriate access to adrenaline auto injectors help protect pupils throughout the school day.

Special Schools

Many pupils attending special schools have complex medical needs, making effective allergy management particularly important.

Schools should ensure:

Individual Healthcare Plans are reviewed regularly.
Staff receive appropriate medical training.
Emergency medication is easily accessible.
Procedures are tailored to each pupil's needs.

Special schools may wish to review the number and location of spare adrenaline auto injectors to ensure rapid access across the school site.

Alternative Provision Settings

Alternative provision settings should have clear arrangements for managing pupils with allergies, particularly where learning takes place across different locations or involves outdoor activities.

Emergency procedures, staff training and access to adrenaline auto injectors should form part of the setting's wider safeguarding arrangements.

Choosing the Right Adrenaline Auto Injectors

The adrenaline auto injectors required will depend on the pupils attending your school and your allergy risk assessment.

General guidance is:

Child's Weight	Recommended Adrenaline Auto Injector
7.5 kg to 25 kg	150 microgram (0.15 mg)
Over 25 kg	300 microgram (0.3 mg)

Many schools choose to keep both strengths available to ensure they are prepared for pupils of different ages and sizes.

How Many Spare Adrenaline Auto Injectors Should a School Have?

There is no set number of spare adrenaline auto injectors every school should keep.

Your risk assessment should consider:

The number of pupils with severe allergies.
The size and layout of the school.
Multiple buildings or campuses.
Sports facilities and outdoor learning.
Educational visits and extracurricular activities.
Expected emergency response times.

Many schools choose to keep more than one spare adrenaline auto injector so a second dose is available if required before emergency services arrive.

Staff Training and Allergy Policies

Every school should ensure staff know:

The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
When an adrenaline auto injector should be used.
How to administer emergency medication.
When to call 999.
How to support a pupil until emergency services arrive.

Schools should also maintain:

A comprehensive allergy policy.
Individual Healthcare Plans where appropriate.
Up-to-date allergy records.
Regular reviews of emergency procedures.

Preparing for Benedict's Law

Benedict's Law is helping strengthen allergy safety in schools by introducing clearer expectations around allergy management, staff training and emergency preparedness.

Academies, free schools, independent schools, special schools and alternative provision settings should review their existing procedures to ensure they align with the latest Department for Education guidance.

Preparing now can help improve pupil safety while supporting future compliance with evolving allergy guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can academies buy spare EpiPens?

Yes. Eligible academies in England can purchase spare EpiPens and other adrenaline auto injectors without a prescription for emergency use, subject to current legislation.

Do independent schools need an allergy policy?

Independent schools should have clear procedures for managing pupils with allergies, including emergency response arrangements, staff training and Individual Healthcare Plans where appropriate.

Should special schools keep spare adrenaline auto injectors?

Many special schools choose to keep spare adrenaline auto injectors as part of their emergency medical arrangements, with decisions informed by their pupil population and allergy risk assessment.

How often should adrenaline auto injectors be checked?

Schools should regularly check that adrenaline auto injectors remain within their expiry date, are stored correctly and are immediately available if needed.

Order EpiPens and Adrenaline Auto Injectors for Your School

Preparing your school for an allergy emergency starts with having the right equipment in place.

Protect your pupils with reliable access to EpiPens and emergency adrenaline auto injectors. As a registered UK pharmacy, EpiPens for Schools makes it easy for academies, free schools, independent schools, special schools and alternative provision settings to order spare adrenaline auto injectors, with expert advice and a straightforward ordering process.

Whether you're purchasing emergency medication for the first time or replacing devices approaching their expiry date, our team is here to help.

Ready to order? Click here to buy adrenaline auto injectors online today.

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