Diabetes

Training – building capability and confidence to support students with type 1 diabetes

It’s important to train school staff in diabetes management and planning to provide a safe environment for students with type 1 diabetes.

Training needs for school staff will vary according to the responsibilities of the staff and individual support needs of the student.

Schools must ensure that staff are educated about the serious nature of type 1 diabetes and the potential increased risk of serious and immediate health complications for students living with the condition, such as very low blood glucose levels that can lead to unconsciousness.

All school staff must be aware of the students in the school who have type 1 diabetes, and have a basic understanding of how to recognise and assist a student experiencing hypo and hyper.

Responsible staff should be supported to take professional development opportunities to build capability and confidence to support young people with type 1 diabetes at school. This will include foundational level training and applied training if required. Responsible staff should be competent and confident to implement a student’s Diabetes Management Plan and Action Plan.

A number of providers can deliver training for staff to support students with type 1 diabetes. Schools can access the Diabetes in Schools training program by Diabetes Victoria (outlined below). The student’s medical treatment team can also provide guidance on selecting training programs and individual training support or guidance on selecting training program to suit the individual health needs.

The following information summarises the training roles of those involved in supporting a student with type 1 diabetes.

The role of the principal

• Ensure all staff are aware of which students have type 1 diabetes, have a basic understanding of diabetes and know how to safely respond in an emergency
• Ensure a sufficient number of responsible staff are trained, capable and available daily to provide the treatment prescribed in a student’s individual Diabetes Management Plan and Diabetes Action Plan
• Fund and facilitate professional development for school staff, appropriate to a student’s individual needs

The role of all staff

• Be aware of which students have type 1 diabetes
• Undertake basic training to gain an understanding of type 1 diabetes and how to recognise and respond in an emergency. It's recommended that schools use the Diabetes in Schools online education package that can be accessed by all school staff. Refer to Level 1: Introductory training (Basic) for this training

The 3 × 5-minute, self-directed learning modules will help to ensure that all school staff understand type 1 diabetes and how it impacts on a student's day to day life, provide knowledge about how to respond appropriately to students experiencing hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia and information about Diabetes Action and Management plans.

In addition to the role of all staff, responsible staff must:

• have a basic understanding of type 1 diabetes and how to respond in an emergency. It's recommended that schools use the Diabetes in Schools online education package that can be accessed by all school staff
• undertake appropriate training to develop confidence and competence to provide the treatment prescribed in the Diabetes Management Plan and Diabetes Action Plan. Refer to Level 2: Intermediate training and Level 3: Individualised skills training for more information.

The role of the medical treatment team (or other appropriate health professional)

• Train responsible staff to administer insulin according to the specific treatment needs of the student

Diabetes Victoria

• Provides free Level 1: Introductory training (Basic) for all school staff when schools have a student living with type 1 diabetes. The training includes 3 × 5-minute modules on:
  • Diabetes 101 – basic overview of diabetes
  • Lows and Highs (First Aid) – explains the signs and symptoms of hypo (low blood glucose) and hyper (high blood glucose) and how to respond in emergencies
  • Roles and responsibilities of school staff
• Provides free Level 2: Intermediate training for responsible school staff who support students with type 1 diabetes. The training consists of 9 modules and takes 90 minutes to complete. Training covers type 1 diabetes and food, monitoring glucose levels, insulin, managing lows and highs, physical activity, school camps and planning for changes
• Provides free Level 3: individualised skills training (Applied training) for responsible staff and focuses on the individual student’s type 1 diabetes management. This practical face-to-face training is provided by a qualified health professional in the school setting. Currently this service is only available to students who are being treated by Royal Children’s Hospital or Monash Children’s Hospital. If students are not treated by these hospitals, the school should ask the family if their treating team will provide on-site training at the school
• Delivers a range of free Diabetes Education Workshops face-to-face and online. These support staff to learn practical skills that help improve management of student diabetes

Good practice examples: Training

The below information shows examples of tiered training approaches which can help to build the capability and confidence of school staff.

Training for responsible staff

Training for all staff