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School information


Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Diabetes management at school

Children with diabetes attend school and participate in all normal educational and social activities.
 
A diabetes health care provider will generally work with the child living with diabetes, their family and teachers. This ensures that teachers at early learning centres and schools know about the safe management of diabetes and can involve the child fully in school-based activities without discrimination.
 

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Resources available for schools

An educational School Resource Flip Chart is available from Diabetes New Zealand. This provides information on the general principles of school-based care.
 
It is important to recognise that every child living with diabetes has specific needs so individualised school action plans are also very important. These plans are developed in close collaboration with certified diabetes nurse educators who work within diabetes specialist services.
 
The following should be available to the school.

  • a personal plan of action for the child or young person living with diabetes. This should be developed in collaboration with your child’s diabetes team, working with your child’s school
  • the School Resource Flip Chart produced by Diabetes New Zealand. It covers the following topics:
    - introduction
    - what is diabetes?
    - high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
    - low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia)
    - treatment of a mild to moderate ‘hypo’
    - treatment of a severe ‘hypo’
    - food and diabetes
    - camps
    - exercise and diabetes
    - diabetes treatment at school/ exams
    - family, other topics and student’s services
  • a school hypo kit
  • a MedicAlert identification bracelet

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Where can I go for more information and support?

Your local diabetes team can be contacted through the District Health Board switchboard.
 
DNZ (Diabetes New Zealand)
DNZ is a nationwide organisation with 41 diabetes societies throughout NZ. For information about educational resources, diabetes products and membership, contact:
 
Diabetes Supplies Ltd. (for resources and products)
Address: Freepost DNZ, PO Box 54, Oamaru
Call free on 0800 DIABETES (0800 342 238)
Fax: 64 3 434 5281
Email: mailto:info@diabetes.org.nz
Website: http://www.diabetes.org.nz/
 
Diabetes New Zealand National Office (for membership enquiries)
Address: PO Box 12 441, Thorndon, Wellington
For membership enquiries call free on 0800 369 636
Email: membership@diabetes.org.nz
 
DYNZ (Diabetes Youth New Zealand)
DYNZ represents children and young people with diabetes who are under 25 years of age.
 
Head Office: 114 Amberley Avenue, Palmerston North
Phone: 64 6 353 0244
Website: http://www.diabetesyouth.org.nz/
 
For the contact details of your nearest Diabetes Youth Society, see
 

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Acknowledgements

Starship Children's Health logoFact sheet produced in collaboration with the Starship Diabetes Service.
 
 
 
 

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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 14/08/2009

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010


The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz 		Starship Foundation
http://www.starship.org.nz