Catherine collecting for Diabetes UK earlier this year at Tesco, Kingston Park

Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, has shown her support for children with Type 1 diabetes by backing a Diabetes UK campaign for improved care in school for children living with the condition.

The charity’s Make the Grade campaign is seeking to raise awareness of a new law, which means that all schools in England are now legally required to provide support that children with medical conditions, such as Type 1 diabetes, need.

The new law came into effect this September and means that schools in England will have to ensure they have individual healthcare plans and a medical conditions policy in place. They will also have to commit to working closely with parents and relevant healthcare professionals such as Diabetes Specialist Nurses.

To help implement the new rules, Diabetes UK has produced free packs for schools – containing information about Type 1 diabetes and how to support children with the condition and a sample medical conditions policy.  The charity has also produced free information packs for parents, which set out the care they should expect in school. 

Catherine – an active member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes – said: 

‘Whilst many schools across Newcastle will already be doing a great job of supporting pupils with Type 1 diabetes, too many children and young people are not getting the support and care they need to manage their condition in school, which can affect their education and health. 

‘I know from family experience how important it is for young people to get the right support to manage their condition, and often children with Type 1 diabetes are excluded from aspects of school life, which is clearly unacceptable.

‘That’s why I’m backing Diabetes UK ‘s Make the Grade campaign and I will be working with schools in Newcastle North to ensure that children and young people with the condition in our area are getting the support they are entitled to.’

Diabetes UK’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Robin Hewings, said: 

‘We are pleased to have the support of Catherine McKinnell MP on what is a very important issue. While many children get excellent care in Newcastle North, we hear of too many examples where children with diabetes experience avoidable ill health because they don’t get the care they need in school. 

‘We need to make sure that everyone – teachers, parents and health leaders, are aware of the new law so that every child and young person with Type 1 diabetes gets the best possible care in school. This is why we have launched our new resources for schools and parents, which sets out what good diabetes care looks like in school.’

The free schools and parent packs are available to order from the Diabetes UK website at www.diabetes.org.uk/schools