This week I highlight a new DfE consultation on draft statutory guidance on supporting pupils with allergies and a consultation on understanding how technology impacts on children’s wellbeing.

Supporting pupils with allergies
This week, the DfE launched an eight week consultation on draft statutory guidance aimed at supporting children with allergies and medical conditions. Some of the proposed requirements include:

• stocking spare allergy pens for emergency use on-site
• providing allergy awareness training for all staff
• maintaining a comprehensive policy that supports children with medical conditions, including the role of Individual Healthcare Plans to record specific arrangements for pupils

National consultation: Growing up in the online world
The government has launched a consultation to understand how technology impacts children’s wellbeing, and what more can be done to help families strike the right balance.

Key proposals include setting a minimum age for social media access, restricting addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay, and whether mobile phone guidance should be statutory for schools.

A government response is expected this summer and the Prime Minister has announced new legal powers to act on the findings faster than usual. Governors and trustees are encouraged to share insights and promote participation among school communities.