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Diabetes

Publication date: August 3, 2023

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and youth. It requires appropriate care in the school setting to ensure student safety, well-being and optimal academic performance.

Type 1 Diabetes is the most common in childhood years. However, while Type 2 Diabetes is less common in this age group, it can still occur and affect children.

Provincial Standards

Provincial standards create a safe and supportive environment for children with Type 1 Diabetes by outlining the roles and responsibilities of parents/guardians, school administrators, and health authorities:

Standards, services and supports are based on best practice developed by Child Health BC: 

Learn about keeping student records and medical alerts:

Planning with Parents and Guardians

Work closely with parents/guardians to provide the support their child needs – especially in an emergency.

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Create a Diabetes Support Plan

The first step in supporting students with Type 1 Diabetes safely at school is ensuring that a Diabetes Support Plan and Medical Alert Information Form is in place. This is a comprehensive document that includes information such as emergency planning, contact information, and specific care needs. Start building a support plan for each student with Type 1 Diabetes by having parents/guardians complete the following form:

 

Nursing Support Options

While many students with Type 1 Diabetes can independently manage all or most non-emergency diabetes care tasks, some may require assistance with glucose monitoring or insulin administration. A student’s level of independence depends on what is safe and appropriate for their abilities, maturity, and experience with their diabetes diagnosis.

Some students may require support due to cognitive or functional needs, while others may need temporary assistance until they develop the skills for independent diabetes self-management. In these cases, a referral for diabetes care support may be submitted by the child’s most responsible practitioner (i.e., a physician or nurse practitioner):

Eligibility for diabetes care support under an act of delegation is assessed on a case-by-case basis by Nursing Support Services Coordinators. Because it can take several weeks to arrange support, early planning is important. In the meantime, parents/guardians and schools can work together using the student’s diabetes support plan.

 

Emergency Planning

Parents/guardians who wish to have glucagon given in the event of an emergency, as part of their child’s diabetes support plan, must have the following form completed and signed by the student’s physician:

 

Diabetes Technology in Schools 

Nursing Support Services only supports the use of Health Canada approved technology within the school setting. More information is available on the technology information section on the Nursing Support Services website:

“Do-it-yourself” (DIY) looping, a method for managing Type 1 Diabetes, is not currently Health Canada approved and cannot be supported by Nursing Support Services. Using a DIY looping app, whether looping is on or off on the non-Health Canada approved app, cannot be supported by Nursing Support Services through delegated care in the school setting.

Additional information on DIY looping in the school setting can be accessed here:

 

 

Additional information on diabetes and resources for parents/guardians, caregivers, and schools can be accessed through the BC Children’s Hospital diabetes webpage: