care for child with diabetes in school

[MuminMama]

I'm asking for advice for a friend whose DS has very recently been diagnosed with type I diabetes. As I understand it, the school are doing everything that needs to be done to care for him, but breakfast club and after school club have refused to have him. This means that the mother has not been able to return to work since the diagnosis a few weeks ago, and is likely to lose her job. Does anyone have an understanding of the legal obligations in this area or tips on how to work with the after hours providers at school? Thanks so much.

Its a protected Characteristic same as someone with any other disability or illness that is not reversible. You need to establish why they are refusing, if training is needed that the school or the mgt of the clubs provide it and they allow access to your/her son.

I suspect its someone who thinks the easiest option is just to refuse.

Thank you RB. I think they didn't feel capable of looking after him. If they are not allowed to refuse I suppose they will have to do some training.

There's a Facebook group called T1 children rights at school or something along those lines. Seems to be lots of expertise on there.
Might be worth mentioning to your friend that as children with Type 1 are entitled to claim DLA, what the breakfast club and afterschool service is doing is discriminating against a disabled person.
If they're a private company then I'd be shouting it from the rooftops and rating their service on every available review site.
If it's a school run service then they're failing to provide what the child is entitled to. Either way it's discrimination.

Yes, legally they need to cover all the "school" clubs. If it's a public club which just happens to be run on school premises then the club itself would still be expected to make "reasonable adjustments" as type one diabetes is legally a disability. If in England the relevant legislation/guidance is "supporting children with medical conditions in schools" and the Equality Act 2010 (I think the guidance for schools document that supports this covers this sort of example). With regard to work, as the child's carer she has some rights but they are limited.

I would imagine it is down to someone being trained to test her blood and manage her highs and lows so a member of staff (probably 2-3 to cover illnesses) to take on the medical training to manage the diabetic child. I care for a child with type 1 at a primary school and it is a huge responsibility. The breakfast club should be able to apply for the training but I wonder where they stand if they don’t want to be responsible for administering medical care to a child? Not sure of the legalities, but interested to know.

This has to be illegal. It's a disability access issue. Shame because with only a tiny bit of effort the staff at the club could be on this.

Have first hand experience of shitty and buck passing behaviour from my diabetic DC primary school. I made lots of fuss you need to too

The problem is if the after school club is run externally, it’s not the same as school hours and rights.

I learnt the hard way as my child needs more supervision than their ratios so was refused after school care.

How old is the child, how much are they managing and do they eat there?

My child was excluded for disability from nursery provision and after school clubs at different ages, LA fully backed them

What age is the child and how much care do they need (i.e. are they self testing and treating)?

I would advise your friend to contact Diabetes UK for advice. This is a terrible situation and shouldn't be allowed to pass.

They unfortunately no longer have a care line for advice about schools issues.

I work in a school and care for a child with Type 1 diabetes. Agree with everything that @t1mum3 says. However they can initially refuse until they are trained because of insurance but they can't refuse long term. Your friends child should have a diabetes support nurse who trains staff in school and she may be able to help.

Thanks to everyone for the info. The child is 7 and is learning to recognise his own symptoms but it's a work in progress as he was only diagnosed around a month ago. I will go back to my friend with all your suggestions. x

Discrimination is illegal however they can request additional support (and funding) which can take time. The only exception is if they cannot guarantee safety. A young friend is a similar age and recently diagnosed, she definitely goes to after school care but not breakfast as insulin needs to be given then and she cannot do it herself yet - a ta gives it at lunchtime and checks bloods at the end of school before after school club. Her parents have battled a bit to ensure she's not separated from peers but they also are pushing her to take responsibility for her own care straight away at the advice of the hospital