School duty to support children with illness ‘historic landmark’

Diabetes UK said some children with the condition have not been getting the support they need, and there have been calls for a change in the law to reverse this.

Campaigners said a lack of training and understanding has meant some schools did not administer insulin or test the bloods of children with Type 1.

There have also been examples of children not being allowed to snack to treat low blood glucose levels, putting their health and education at risk.

But Diabetes UK said the new Children and Families Act 2014 should usher in important changes, including individual healthcare plans for children with Type 1. Barbara Young, of Diabetes UK, said: “For too long, too many 
children with Type 1 diabetes have not got the support they need in schools and their health and education has suffered as a result.

“This has always been a 
source of great frustration as 
the fact that lots of schools 
already do a great job of supporting children with the condition shows it is possible,” she 
added.