Useful information for you and your pupils
There are currently around 25,000 young people with Type 1 diabetes under the age of 25 in the UK. It is also suggested that as many as 1,400 children and young people have Type 2 diabetes. As a teacher, there may come a time when someone in your class is a child with diabetes, or you may want to educate your pupils about the condition.
Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need about diabetes, how it is treated, and how to look after a young person with diabetes in your care.
What is diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Both affect the body in different ways, and usually require different treatment. Type 1 diabetes is far more prevalent in young people, but the increasing incidence of children who are overweight and obese means that the number of young people with Type 2 diabetes is predicted to rise in the future.
Find out more about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Children with diabetes at school: what all staff need to know
This award-winning leaflet is full of advice and information for teachers and other staff who have a child with diabetes in their school, and is available to download for free from our online store. This information is also available as webpages as part of our Guide to diabetes, in the Caring for children with diabetes section.
Other publications aimed a children, young adults and their carers are available in our online store.
My Life – our websites for young people with diabetes
Our My Life websites have been created for young people living with diabetes. We have sections aimed at kids (up to around 11 years old), teens (12–18) and young adults (18–30). Please note that these age groups are just a guideline, and you may find suitable information in any of these areas.
We also have an educational resource pack for younger children. Entitled Teach your tot about diabetes, the pack is available as a free download.
Information for students
If your students are doing project work on diabetes, we have put together a handy resource signposting them to all the relevant information, including facts about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, how the condition is managed and treated, and a section dispelling some of the myths that surround diabetes.