Treatment – implementing the Diabetes Management Plan and Diabetes Action Plan
Diabetes management is a process of balancing physical activity, food intake and insulin treatment to ensure students feel well and can participate fully at school. Current type 1 diabetes management practice includes insulin replacement by injections or continuous infusion via a pump. Blood glucose monitoring is also required.
The specific support a student needs during school hours, whether reminding, observing, assisting or administering treatment, is documented by the diabetes treating teams in the Diabetes Management Plans and Diabetes Action For more information see ‘Looking after young people with type 1 diabetes in schools and early childhood settings Mastering Diabetes in schools and early childhood
Summary of treatment roles
The below information summarises the treatment roles of those involved in supporting a student with type 1 diabetes.
Role of the student (if age appropriate)
- Participate in their health care and management
- Follow their Diabetes Management Plan and Diabetes Action Plan with support from school staff
- Ask for help if they are feeling unwell or in need assistance
- Agree to trained school staff supporting and Responsible Staff administering treatment as prescribed in the Diabetes Management Plan and Diabetes Action Plan
- Tell teachers and parents/carers if they need more assistance or support
Role of responsible staff
- Are familiar with each student’s treatment regimen and the level of support they need
- Assist students to follow their daily routine as outlined in their Diabetes Management and Action Plans
- Ensure equipment and supplies are easily accessible to students at all times
- Are familiar with the student’s Diabetes Management Plan and Diabetes Action Plan and have easy access to the Diabetes Action Plan and hypo kit in their classroom
- Follow safe needle disposal and infection control procedures
Role of all staff
- Have a duty of care to students which includes ensuring that medical assistance is provided if they are sick or injured. This can include emergency first aid to students experiencing a severe hypo
Role of parents or carers
- Consent to Responsible Staff supporting and administering treatment where required by the Diabetes Management Plans and Diabetes Action Plans
- Supply and monitor all equipment the student needs to safely manage their diabetes, including a clearly labelled hypo kit
- Inform the school of any changes in a student’s condition where it is causing concern
- Provide signed copies of updated Diabetes Management Plans and Diabetes Action Plans as they are amended
- Use a medication log book to inform Responsible Staff of any changes to a student’s insulin regime
Role of the diabetes treatment team
- Work with parents/carers and the student to identify and prescribe an appropriate treatment regime
Good practice examples: treatment
The below information illustrates different ways staff are reminding, observing, assisting or administering treatment to students in school.
Objective: Students with type 1 diabetes are safe and supported at school
Example 1
A student on multiple daily insulin injections attending a secondary school near Melbourne is transitioning to self-manage her diabetes. The Responsible Staff who have been previously assisting with her insulin administration work with the student to organise a space where she can feel safe and comfortable to self-administer her insulin. The staff also encourage the student to seek them out if she needs any support.
Example 2
Staff at a primary school help a student who is self-managing his diabetes by reminding him to check his blood glucose levels, observing him while he is administering his insulin, providing assistance if required and checking if he is eating his required food portions promptly thereafter.
Example 3
Staff at a primary school help a student who is self-managing his diabetes by reminding him to check his blood glucose levels, observing him while he is administering his insulin, providing assistance if required and checking if he is eating his required food portions promptly thereafter.
Example 4
The mother of a student beginning secondary school encouraged her son to take responsibility for his diabetes management. School staff ensure he is supported to manage his care. They keep an eye out for him at sporting events and contact his parents if his blood glucose is unstable.
Reviewed 12 September 2024