“Benedict’s Law”, the new allergy and anaphylaxis framework due to be introduced in English schools from September 2026, reflects a wider shift towards stronger safeguarding, medical preparedness, and staff awareness in settings attended by children.
While the framework is primarily designed for schools and formal educational environments, its principles are increasingly relevant to equestrian centres, riding schools, and livery yards that welcome young people, particularly where activities are delivered in partnership with schools, SEND providers, or educational programmes.
Even where the legislation does not directly apply, expectations around allergy and anaphylaxis management are rising across all child-facing sectors. Equestrian settings are therefore encouraged to review their procedures to ensure they are aligned with best practice, including accurate collection of medical information, up-to-date emergency contacts, clear incident response protocols, and staff familiarity with the use of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) such as EpiPens.
In a yard environment, additional risks also need to be considered, including insect stings, exposure during outdoor activity, food handling, and the challenges of managing emergencies in more remote or time-sensitive settings. These factors make consistent planning and staff confidence in emergency response particularly important.
Alongside allergy preparedness, broader first aid and safeguarding expectations continue to evolve. Maintaining up-to-date training, reinforcing awareness of child protection responsibilities, and ensuring clear, documented procedures can all help equestrian centres create safer, more robust environments for children and young people.
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