What Ofsted looks at on allergy safety
How allergy safety fits into Ofsted inspection, and the evidence a school can have ready.
Evidence to have ready
- Your dedicated allergy safety policy, its last review date and where it is published
- Training records showing all staff were trained in the last year
- A list of spare adrenaline devices, where they are and their expiry dates
- Individual Healthcare Plans for pupils who need them
- Your incident and near-miss log, and what changed as a result
- How kitchen staff recognise pupils with allergies
Implementation matters as much as the document
A good policy that staff do not know is weak evidence. Inspectors may talk to staff and pupils. Make sure any adult can say where the nearest devices are and what to do in an emergency.
Questions schools ask
Does Ofsted check allergy policies?
The DfE guidance says inspectors will consider allergy safety policies and how well they are implemented as part of inspection, including as part of safeguarding.
Read next
Official sources
Allergy Ledger helps your school record and follow its own allergy procedures. It does not give medical advice and does not replace staff training, the pupil's Allergy Action Plan or Individual Healthcare Plan, or the advice of a healthcare professional. In an emergency always follow the pupil's plan and call 999. Information on this page is general information, not legal advice.