30/08/2026
Starting school is an emotional milestone for every parent. But when your child has a food allergy, we know that letting go of their hand at the school gate can carry an extra layer of worry.
For perhaps the first time, you're trusting a much wider circle of people to understand something you've spent years carefully managing.
So if you're feeling anxious about what September brings, you're certainly not alone.
Preparation can help, along with the right support from others around you.
✅ Talk to your child's school about their allergy and emergency plan.
✅ Make sure medication is in date and everyone who needs to know where it is, does.
✅ It can be helpful to let other parents know about your child's allergies. You could use the parent WhatsApp group or you could talk to them in person.
✅ And, importantly, help your child practise the words they can use when you're not there:
📣 “I have a food allergy.”
📣 “Can you check that for me?”
📣 “I can't eat that.”
📣 “I don't feel right. I need to tell a grown-up.”
Starting school is also the beginning of something positive: your child learning to understand their allergy, advocate for themselves and become a little more confident navigating the world without you beside them.
But they are not doing it alone 💜
For specialist allergy support: follow
Learn more about Benedict's Law in schools: https://benedictblythe.com/benedicts-law
To speak to the ACE team about OIT allergy treatment for a more confident future: https://allergycentre.co.uk/register-your-interest/
