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Type 1 5yr Old T1. School Reduced His Funding To 1hour.

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Wilber123

Well-Known Member
Messages
121
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Someone I know have three boys the youngest is 5 and just started school.
At first in sept just gone he was given a one to one qualified teaching assistant to measure his BG through the day also prior and after meals.
She has just been told by the school that they are reducing the funding for him. Now they are offering 1 hour or day.
This might get him over the lunch break, but as he is so young he cannot take or read his BG at others times of the day.
The mum is in panic mode which I understand.
Does anyone know if the school are allowed to reduce the help this child need. Is there any one this mum can get help from.
Many thanks.
 
I googled and found this. There appears buck passing going on over who should fund it. According to this, legally it should be done either by the CCG, or via an Education and Health Care Fund, which, I think, means the LEA pays.

http://edexec.co.uk/diabetes-children-denied-school-support-funding/

This lays out the legal situation. I don't know, but if they aren't offering what the child needs, then they might need a special needs statement, that forces them to.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-t...schools/diabetes-in-schools-legal-information

Here's the government advice on what hast to be done

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3

Looks like it's a bit of a nuisance to get it sorted, but clearly the funding should be available. Might be worth contacting Diabetes UK. I don't know how much support they give on this sort of thing, but they should be some help at least.
 
I really hope this child gets to have a free style libre device with which he can easily test his sugars. I know getting this device is 'another can of worms' to open (it is supposed to be available on the NHS but different areas have different criteria for funding it) but might make the difference between breezing through the school day independently (he swipes his arm to check his bgs and can see if they are going down too rapidly and do something about it) versus fighting a battle for his special medical needs to be recognised and provided for.
 
Many thanks I really do appreciate your reply’s and dodo the email address. Mum feels he far too young to understand the implications of what his bg would mean st Judy 5 I would think he would need help.
Thanks guys.
 
@Wilber123 are other members of staff trained to take his bs reading? Often in schools other staff, apart from the dedicated support have training in order that a care plan can operate.
 
He should have an IHP and there must be trained staff. Also all staff in school should be made aware that he is T1 and what to do in an emergency.
 
Great information. I would also get on to the local MP right away, as this is impossible to ignore. Totally unacceptable.
 
Mbaker said:
Great information. I would also get on to the local MP right away, as this is impossible to ignore. Totally unacceptable.
Click to expand...
I hope the MP is aware or made fully aware of the risks that hypoglycaemia poses to young diabetics.
 
Does the phrase in loco parentis mean nothing? The LEA is legally bound to keep all pupils safe and well while they are on school premises. The law states that all children must be educated, the law also states that in the absence of parental responsibility then the onus of care lies with the education system. Failing to provide safe/adequate levels of care is an infringement of that law.
 
I would suspect that he no longer requires one to one as he will be moving from foundation to Key stage 1. However ALL staff in daily contact with this child, including the Teacher should be trained in his needs and carry them out during the school day. Having worked in primary schools with type 1 children that is the requirement.
If he goes on to wear a pump all staff in contact also need to attend training. At the start of each new school year all the new contact staff should have training.
 
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