Starting school when you have food allergy

Advice for parents and caregivers

Starting school can be a worrying time. You might feel anxious about your child being away from you, or how school would manage an allergic reaction.

The information below will help to answer some of the questions you may have, and guide you on how to work with the school to keep your child safe. All schools are required to have a policy for dealing with food allergies, but it is your reponsibilty to inform them of your child’s needs.

What do I need to tell the school?

Ask to meet with the Headteacher and your child’s teacher as soon as your child’s place is confirmed. They might also include the school caterer or SEN (special educational needs) co-ordinator. Prepare for the meeting by having letters from your doctor that explain what your child is allergic to. Take your child’s allergy emergency management plan and give a copy to the school. You may also wish to read and review the school’s policies on managing allergy.

What if my child has an allergic reaction at school?

Your school should have your child’s emergency management plan and medication which will tell them how to treat a reaction. Talk to your school about your child’s reactions and how to recognise them. The school staff should already be trained on how to recognise and treat allergic reactions, and should have had up to date training on this. Find out where they keep emergency medication and how easily accessible this is in the event of an emergency. Make sure you always know when your child’s medication held at school expires.

How should I prepare my child for school?

This may be the first time your child has been away from you for long periods of the day. Build their confidence by having them practice saying “no” when offered food including snacks and sweets by others, particularly as the other children may not understand if sweets are refused. Talk to them about when they should find a teacher to tell them if they don’t feel well. Reassure them that the adults in school will keep them safe. Start to teach them how to read a food label so they can start to build their self-management skills.

Can my child have school lunches or go on school trips?

Yes. Talk to your school about their catering provision. They might need to make some changes to make sure your child can have a safe school meal. Work with them to come up with some safe suitable alternatives. Your school should make sure simple measures such as wiping down surfaces and washing hands before and after eating are in place. Children should not share food at lunch or in the classroom. You might be asked to provide a safe packed lunch for a school trip, to make sure your child eats safely.

What about birthdays and special occasions?

Your child should not have to miss out on special occasions. It is important that they are able to join in with their classmates. Ask the school if you can provide a supply of clearly labelled ‘treats’ to make sure your child does not miss out when there is a celebration. Be sure to make a note of the expiry date of these treats if they are held at the school.

I still feel nervous about my child starting school…

Feelings of anxiety are common when your child has food allergy. There is a good chance that another child in your school also has a food allergy. You might find it helpful to speak to other parents with a child with food allergy, to share ideas, You will have to ask the school if the other parents are willing to talk to you about their child and understand that some parents may not wish to do this Talk to your allergy team who will be able to help. Other useful resources are listed below.

Useful information

Allergy UK (opens in a new tab) - useful information leaflets and frequently asked questions

Allergy Wise (opens in a new tab) - free online allergy training for parents and schools

Spare Pens In Schools (opens in a new tab) – further information for parents and schools on how to manage allergic reactions

‘Coping with anxiety’ factsheet, Allergy UK