The school used to look after my daughter’s diabetes really well. But it’s all gone wrong now she has moved class. What can I do?
Try to stay calm – acting aggressively very rarely achieves anything. Air your concerns with the new teacher or the head teacher and refer them to your child’s healthcare plan and what has been agreed in it. Ask the PDSN to go into the school again to educate the staff about your child’s needs, and you could also ask the school nurse to liaise with school staff. If you still have problems, call Diabetes UK’s Advocacy Service on 020 7424 1000.
Can my child go on school trips?
There’s no reason why your child can’t enjoy the same trips away as the rest of their class, whether they are day trips or overnight stays. Find out what activities your child will be doing and what meals will be provided in case there’s anything else that the school staff need to know. If your child needs help with managing their diabetes, you will need to check that the staff already trained to help them are going on the trip, or whether other staff need to be trained up. Even if your child can look after their diabetes by themselves, overnight stays might need a bit more planning. Arrange a meeting with staff and the PDSN to discuss any additional needs.
What do I need to consider about my child’s diabetes if they want to take part in after-school activities?
If your child has to stay behind after school, it may mean they’ll be later than usual with an injection or evening meal. Consider whether they will need an extra snack, and ask your paediatric diabetes team whether having the injection late will cause any problem. If your child is staying late for a sporting activity, think about whether they will need extra snacks or changes to their insulin dose (for more information visit Physical activity). Make sure whoever is leading the activity knows about your child’s diabetes and what help and support they will need.