Parents of schoolchildren with Type 1 Diabetes have welcomed a comprehensive guide to help them negotiate the stressful transfer of their child’s complex care to school personnel during school hours.

“Children with Type 1 Diabetes at school require insulin by injection or pump to sustain life, to assist in the prevention of devastating complications of the condition and to ensure the necessary glucose control to optimize learning” said Dr Peter Goss, chair of the Australian Paediatric Society Diabetes Committee. “Some schools are wonderfully supportive but far too many children still do not get the required and legislated assistance.” “The challenge is to collaborate and work together across all sectors of health and education because over 80% of Australian children with Type 1 Diabetes are not reaching target exposing them to unnecessary short-term and long-term health risk. School time represents a major part of their day so we must advocate for the appropriate the best possible care during that time”

“We have already been successful in addressing the challenge of providing diabetes education and training of school personnel. We now need to provide ongoing support for the 11,000 kids with Type 1 Diabetes in the school environment to help them manage the complex care requirements at international standard. “

“Parents should know their legal rights to ensure their child obtains the management to which they are entitled. If Australia decides to rise to the challenge of not just educating and training school staff but providing ongoing international best practice support for teachers and students, Australia has the opportunity to become international leaders in diabetes care at school.” 

The T1D Parent Guide is the newest addition to the internationally endorsed T1D Learning Centre resources to assist children with diabetes at school, including a complete suite of e-learning courses for school personnel that were recently awarded the international ISPAD prize for diabetes innovation. The T1D e-learning courses for teachers have a proven successful track record over the past 2 years with over 10,000 courses completed free of charge across Australia.  

The T1D Parent Guide was funded by the Geelong Community Foundation and is supported by consumer groups Type 1 Voice and the Type 1 Foundation. It can be downloaded free of charge at t1d.org.au. The T1D Parent Guide represents a giant leap forward in developing a strong supportive relationship between parent, school and treating medical team.