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help with diabetes in school

J

jacqui-c

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Hello

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I will anyway :D

We are having a problem with Jamie's school at the moment (he's in Primary 5) - when he told a teacher on Wed he felt like he was having a hypo she told him to "go away and sit down". He then went back up to her later told her again and it was another teacher that overheard and took him to the office. His reading was 2.5, he had his glucose tablets, the next reading was 3.6. He was given 3 more glucose tablets and told to collect his bag and go home as the bell had rung. Luckily we only live 5 mins walk from the school.

It was the mum of another child in his class who told me the next day, he never said anything about the teacher telling him to go away and sit down. I am (obviously) absolutely livid. We had a meeting at the school in Oct last year I asked the diabetes nurse to come in with me (they had refused her help to go over things again to sort other issues (after numerous phone calls I sent in a letter of complaint) and I was assured then that all teachers are aware of his diabetes, it's on the register and know what to do.

Waiting for the school to call back (and teachers make me nervous lol).

Just wondering if anyone has any advice? Or been in the same situation?

And thanks if you managed to get this far :D

Jacqui
 
I dont have any experience with this... Dont have any kids yet!!

There are a few parants of type 1 children on here so im sure they will be able to share with you.

I would be livid too! If they dont buck up their ideas you could always go to a local newspaper... they love stuff like that and im sure the school would start paying attention then!! :twisted:
 
Hi Jacqui

Who did you write to last year ?

I would suggest you write a strong letter of complaint to the Chair of the board of Governors - if you wrote to the Governors last time you may need to write to the education authority and complain

1) he was put at risk being told to go and sit down when he thought he was going hypo ( he could have injured himself if he fell )

2) he was sent home - he should either have been escorted or yourself contacted as the last reading was only 3.6 ( I don't know what effect 3 tablets would have on this ) he may still have been at risk.

Don't be nervous of teachers - in this instance you are the Teacher make sure they understand the lesson
 
I think Aadrgon is spot on here.

One other thing to ask for is for the school to inform you in writing as to the 'Policy and Procedure' which should be followed in instances such as you outlined. They must have one and it should have been followed.
If it wasn't or they haven't got one - put your teeth in and go for 'em !!!
Get the answers.

Ken
 
Thanks for your replies.

The school have yet to contact me, in the meantime I have contacted West Lothian Education Dept who insist that I go through the Head Teacher but that I am to advise her that they are aware of the situation and will take it further if it is not resolved. I said I thought it was resolved the last time.

Aadrgon - it was the school that I sent the letter of complaint to last time as the Education Dept sent out the complaints procedure. That was my argument with the lady this morning - as my letter to the school has had little impact, should they not step in now?

Don't be nervous of teachers - in this instance you are the Teacher make sure they understand the lesson
Click to expand...
Very nice I like that :D

Cugila - I used their Policy booklet last time to highlight what care Jamie should be receiving :)

Jacqui
 
Hi Jacqui,
I'm a Mum of a 10yr old T1 who is now in year 6, things have been great this year but were horrendous in yr 4. Theres always 1 teacher unfortuantely and i have been right where you are now. His teacher sent him to the office alone because she was too busy, to phone home, bs 1.9, well you can imagine i nearly ripped her head off! Well i felt like doing it, but what i did manage was in a lengthy discusssion was point out all the dangers of her actions and go over his hypo plan in detail again, i treated her like a child but with respect, kept asking her if she understood it and left her with a detailed plan of action.
When sub teachers come in to class, Andrew has a great friend called Ben who will tell the sub that his friend is diabetic and that he is his buddy. Theres always a good supply of hypo treatments in the storeroom and Ben gets them if Andrew is too low, along with spare test strips, tester and snacks. His teacher regulary phones me when lucozade is running low and we have a good repare, think the really good Christmas pressie helped, but then i do really appreciate her help with Andrew after all she has 29 other children in her charge.
Andrew does injections in school after lunch and returns to his classroom to do this, were fortunate that theres around 450 pupils in the school its small and everyone knows Andrew, i know it'll be a different story when he goes to big school, then i'l have to educate them all over again.
Perservere and stay strong, i hate confrontation myself, but you have to take charge, i've often surprise myself when dealing with teachers, i've had plenty of practice and you will too, goodluck and take care, any questions i'm here,
Suzi x
 
I'm a retired teacher and still occasionally do a day's supply. I come across diabetic children quite often and there's usually an action plan sheet in the class register. I've never had to deal with a hypo, which of course I would understand, but fequently get asked to give a biscuit or cracker to someone at a particular time. I did ask the child once what her sugar had been that morning and she told me 16!!
My advice would be to locat any other parents of diabetic children in the school and agree on a common action plan. then ask the head teacher if you can come and speak to thestaff at a Staff meeting to explain what you want them to know. That way you will ensure that the information is in the Minutes, which go to the governing body. Anyone who isn't listening or doesn't comply will be in trouble.
 
Thanks suzi, I'll know where to come with any questions :) Jamie's teacher last year was fab, never missed a snack, made sure she knew exactly what to do, but this year is so different!

Hanadr - Jamie is the only pupil in school with diabetes, but thanks for the suggestion about the staff meeting - that's a great idea and when the school call back I will ask if myself and his nurse can come along.

Jacqui
 
Get in touch with the head teacher and Spcial Needs Co-ordinator(SENCO) too. SENCO has a lot of power
 
Hiya

I agree with last posting with reagrds to contacting SENCO (they don't just deal with children with learning disabilities)

I used to by a Teaching assistant in my local primary and worked with a "named" child (Special needs)

we had a child with severe peanut allergy in our school and our lovely SENCO made a point of teaching everyone who had contact with Walter how to recognise his symptons and how to deal with them (the Head Teacher hadn't a clue - she just sent a note out saying "Keep an eye on Walter")

Its also worth talking to your son's Classroom assistant - they often spot things quicker than the teacher!!

Hope this helps

Karen
 
Hi, my daughter is Type 1 and nearly 5, we signed a document with the school so we all knew what was expected. The school has been fantastic and we have had no issues but we did deal with the Senco.
I suggest you deal direct with the Head and get it all written down and agreed, good luck.
JimmyD
 
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