Education Support
Schools have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of all of their pupils. Schools that have students with Type 1 diabetes must make sure they provide a safe environment with adequate supervision for these students. Staff must be given sufficient information, either by the parent or by a Diabetes Nurse Educator, to ensure the safety of these students and understand what is required should an emergency arise.
Teacher aides
The School High Health Needs Fund supports students at school and kura who have significant health conditions. The fund pays for a teacher aide when the student has a high health need and care is needed for more than 6 weeks. This can be particularly useful for a new entrant, a child who is newly diagnosed or who has just begun insulin pump therapy. The student’s parent/caregiver, health care workers and educators agree on the level and type of care required in an Individual Care Plan.
Parts of the application form must be filled in by the child’s medical specialist. Guidelines and application forms can be found here and type ‘High Health Needs Fund Guidelines’ into search.
As yet, early childhood centres are not entitled to teacher aid funding.
NCEA exams
Students with diabetes sitting NCEA exams are able to apply for Special Assessment Conditions. Once granted the student is entitled to take breaks during exams for the purposes of testing blood glucose levels and any treatments that may be required. Contact your school or consult the NZQA website for further information. Here.