ISBA BURSARCAST // Back-to-Term Risk — Compliance, Cyber and Allergy Safety Ft. Foodbuy (28th August 2026)

As the new academic year approaches, this episode of The ISBA Bursarcast focuses on the operational issues independent school leaders need on their radar now.We begin with the key developments including September compliance changes, updated attendance guidance, the final deadline for the ISBA Inspection Toolkit, and the responsibilities schools may face following a significant cyber incident.We then turn to allergy safety — an area receiving increased attention and one highlighted directly in the latest ISBA Bulletin.Our guest is Hebe Richardson, Senior Nutritionist at Foodbuy, who joins us for a detailed conversation about allergen management from a procurement perspective.Hebe explains why effective allergy management starts long before food reaches the kitchen. The discussion explores the importance of supplier relationships, accurate product information and consistent systems, as well as the risks that can arise when specifications, recipes or products change.We also consider why allergy controls need to extend beyond the main catering operation to include areas such as tuck shops, events, trips and other routes through which food may enter a school.In this episodeThe key compliance changes taking effect from 1 SeptemberChanges affecting volunteers and regulated activityKCSIE 2026 and safeguarding arrangementsUpdated statutory attendance guidanceThe 31 August deadline for the ISBA Inspection ToolkitCyber incidents and Charity Commission serious-incident reportingNew allergy-safety guidance for schoolsWhy allergen management begins with procurementSupplier information and allergen dataManaging product and recipe changesThe risks created by unchecked substitutionsCreating a consistent, whole-school approach to food purchasingApproved product lists and a reliable source of product informationBalancing procurement optimisation with safety and nutritional qualityGuestHebe RichardsonSenior Nutritionist, Foodbuy Hebe discusses how procurement decisions can strengthen allergen controls and why consistency between suppliers, product specifications, recipes and day-to-day catering operations is essential.A central theme is the importance of ensuring that changes and substitutions do not bypass established allergen controls — and that schools have visibility over all the different ways food is purchased and served.Member note:This episode is designed as a short operational briefing. Fuller guidance, technical detail and member-only resources remain available through the original ISBA bulletin and linked materials.Subscribe & FollowNew episodes every Friday at 4 pm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast.Email: [email protected] – we’d love to hear from you. The Bursarcast is produced by RAFIKI STUDIOwww.rafikistudio.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.