Allergy Safety Statement
Allergy Safety Policy Statement
Buckinghamshire Music Trust (BMT) 2026
In line with Benedict’s Law, BMT is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all children, young people, staff, and visitors with allergies. Recognising the serious and potentially life-threatening risk posed by anaphylaxis, our dedicated policy establishes robust risk-mitigation measures and emergency response protocols. Anaphylaxis always requires an emergency response
BMT has a whole organisation awareness approach, because it ensures all staff are aware of what allergies are, the importance of avoiding the individuals' allergens, the signs & symptoms, how to deal with allergic reactions and to ensure procedures are in place to minimise risk of exposure.
BMT is responsible for the implementation of this approach at its Music Centres and at any external BMT activities, including concerts, performances, residential courses and tours.
BMT will guide all teachers to ensure they are aware of policies and procedures in the schools that they visit and will provide relevant training for all situations of anaphylaxis.
BMT will ensure that allergy is included in all risk assessments to identify risks and plan control measures to minimise the risk of exposure.
BMT will ensure that the risk of exposure is minimised in music centres by
- Staff allergy training for all teachers that is refreshed on a regular basis
- Educating volunteers about music centre expectations for allergy management
- Working closely with parents/carers and health professionals to understand the student's allergy when identified
- Ensuring that food is always labelled as unlabelled food poses a potentially greater risk of allergen exposure than packaged food with precautionary (“may contain”) labelling suggesting a risk of contamination with allergen.
- Monitoring this policy to ensure that the agreed practices are implemented
Medication and Adrenaline Devices (ADs)
People at risk of anaphylaxis are prescribed two adrenaline devices which they should carry with them at all times. This includes the journey to and from Music Centre and on any external events such as concerts, residential courses and tours.
Spare Adrenaline Devices
The Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 permit “spare” adrenaline devices to be used for the purpose of saving a life. This might be, for example, a child presenting for the first time with anaphylaxis due to an undiagnosed allergy.
Schools are now required to hold spare adrenaline devices for use in emergency situations. These are not a replacement for a student’s own adrenaline device. Students prescribed adrenaline are expected to have their own adrenaline devices with them at school for use in an emergency. BMT teachers should be aware of the location of such devices and the school’s policy for accessing and using them for any school where they visit in order to teach. They are usually stored in coloured containers and labelled ‘Emergency Anaphylaxis Kit’
BMT is not required or legally able to procure spare devices and so the policy in Music Centres is to ensure that children and young people with known allergies carry their own device at all times, whilst ensuring to minimise risks as detailed above. If it is possible to access a spare device in a co-located school, then trained staff are permitted to use it in an emergency situation.
BMT collects and records medical information from parents regarding known allergies, dietary restrictions, and treatment histories when appropriate.
Student Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) and Allergy Action Plans
Where relevant these should be shared by schools with visiting teachers to ensure awareness. For students with allergies who are BMT members, BMT will create an individual plan where appropriate, including when taking part in residential courses and tours.
Courses, concerts and tours
Staff leading external BMT activities will check that all students have their medication including adrenaline devices with them before departure. Students unable to produce their required medication will not be able to attend the excursion. BMT will notify any host organisation or institution if a member of the group has an allergy.
Serious Incidents and "Near Misses":
BMT approaches serious incidents and “near misses” in a “no blame” spirit, seeking to learn lessons and address any issues which the incident identified, so that students are better protected in the future.
BMT will record all serious incidents and near misses and share the report with parents and the individual involved, giving them the opportunity to discuss what happened and to contribute their views to the consequent lessons learned.
This policy statement is compliant with the Allergy Safety in Schools statutory guidance published July 2026. It has used specific guidance from Anaphylaxis UK who have worked with the Department for Education on creating the Allergy Safety in Schools statutory guidance. BMT’s full policy is available on request.