Parents call for tougher measures in schools to tackle allergies

For Stephanie Kerr's five-year-old son Caolán many foods come with a serious risk.

"Caolán's allergic to milk, egg, wheat, oat, cumin, tuna, strawberry," she said.

"We have a running joke that it would be quicker listing what he's not allergic to so that's just some of them."

Kerr is one of a number of parents calling for new mandatory measures in schools to keep pupils like Caolán safe.

In England, Benedict's law came into force in September, requiring all schools to follow strengthened allergy guidelines including training for staff and storing equipment like life-saving allergy pens.

It was named after Benedict Blythe, who died aged five after accidental exposure to cow's milk protein while at Barnack Primary School, near Peterborough, in December 2021.

The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has committed to a consultation on a similar change in Northern Ireland to introduce stronger allergy guidance for Northern Ireland schools.

At present though, the onus is mainly on parents and individual schools to ensure safety measures for pupils are in place.

Stephanie Kerr was one of several parents and experts in Regent House School in Newtownards on Friday training teachers about safety for pupils with severe allergies.

And that meant confronting some fears.

"I find it difficult as well sometimes talking about the reactions that Caolán has had in the past and what could potentially happen in the future," she said.

But she was not alone.

Niamh Kennedy has three children who have food allergies and she is the chair of Food Allergy NI, the voluntary group who organised the training.

"Our eldest is the most severe. He's had anaphylaxis in the past," she said.

"We're very reliant here at the moment on goodwill, individual school policies and individual awareness so it's very much left to up to the school to initiate and to design what works for them.

"But the problem with that is that there's huge variation."

She estimates that about two children in every class could have a food allergy and said that, aside from school canteens and packed lunches, risks could lurk in expected places.

"One of the things that we experience as a campaigning group is that most people understand that food allergies need to be considered at mealtimes, but it can be the other moments in the day that can sort of be underestimated," she said.

"Things like making cakes or buns or using crafts.

"There can be quite a lot of allergens in some of the craft materials, there can be allergens in simple things like hand soaps.

"This is a potentially life-threatening medical condition."

That point was reinforced by Tracey Dunn, from the Allergy UK incorporating Anaphylaxis UK organisation, who also spoke to teachers at Regent House School.

"Anaphylaxis is the most serious form of an allergic reaction that can be fatal," she said.

"During anaphylaxis the airways are closing and blood pressure is dropping and that leads a person to have symptoms where they are unable to breathe or have noisy breathing or they develop a persistent cough where their voice changes.

"But they can also have, related to the blood pressure, circulatory difficulties where they feel cold, pale clammy or they may feel faint, dizzy."

While most people may be aware of nut allergies or the risk of shock from insect stings, other common foods can also pose a risk to some people.

"Some of the most common foods that can trigger anaphylaxis are things like milk and fish and eggs," Dunn said.

The consultation on changes to how pupils with severe allergies are supported in schools in Northern Ireland is due to take place before the end of 2026.