Charity launches free diabetes passports for schools
SCHOOLS are being encouraged to adopt a
new diabetes 'passport' to help drive up standards of care for pupils with the
condition. Launched by the InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT), the booklet is
available to teachers across the country in a move to help schools meet new
legislation and improve diabetes care.
The Parents Passport for Schools has been designed to provide a means by which
parents can formally let schools know how to manage their child's diabetes and
in turn support schools to comply with special educational needs (SEN)
regulations, as well as informing teachers about the condition.
It comes following the introduction at the beginning of the current school year
of a legal duty for schools in England to support youngsters with long-term
health conditions, including Type 1 diabetes.
Martin Hirst, chief executive of the charity, said:- "Children with
diabetes deserve to have their needs looked after while at school, but
unfortunately we are well aware of the difficulties that children with diabetes
and their parents face in everyday life when managing the condition.
One area that proves particularly problematic is managing the condition at
school. With this in mind, IDDT has produced a new, free booklet, the Parents
Passport for Schools.
IDDT hopes that the passport will prove to be a valuable tool for families with
a child with diabetes, teachers with a child with diabetes in their class,
school nurses and SEN co-ordinators."
IDDT has produced similar documents for use in hospitals and also in care
settings, such as residential care, with more than XXX copies distributed in
total. The passport contains a wide range of information on how a child's
diabetes is managed, including:-
► Dealing with high and low blood sugar levels.
► Food and mealtimes.
► Insulin administration and blood testing.
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, schools need to have a medical
conditions policy in place, along with an individual healthcare plan for any
children with Type 1 diabetes.
IDDT, an International charity based in Northampton, has over 35,000 members and
works across the globe helping families and people with diabetes to manage their
condition and live positive, healthy lives.
The charity provides information booklets and other support, such as collecting
unwanted insulin to help adults and children in developing countries who cannot
afford the insulin they need for survival.
To order copies of the Parents Passport for Schools call:- 01604 622837 or email:-
martin@iddtinternational.org.
