A mum from Harrow has backed a new helpline to support children with Type 1 diabetes during their time at school.

Cindy Ingram, who lives with her 12-year-old son, Joshua, who has the condition, strongly believes all schools should get behind the helpline which has been launched as part of Diabetes UK's Make the Grade campaign.

The helpline has been created to make sure children with Type 1 diabetes are healthy and happy at school, and will provide phone and email support to parents trying to get the care their child is entitled too.

Ms Ingram said: "Joshua’s school has been very supportive with his medical needs but I know this isn’t the case for all children with Type 1 diabetes.

"There can be issues regarding school lunches when carbohydrate content information isn’t available or is confusing, especially at secondary school level when the child is expected to be independent.

"Some teachers’ attitudes can be a problem too as diabetes affects everyone differently.

"For example, children with Type 1 diabetes need to be listened to when they say they don’t feel well and need to leave the class.

“Care plans and procedures are great, however, unlike the paper they are printed on diabetes is not so black and white which is why our children need individual support from their school.

"Parents of diabetic children need support too. ‘Make the Grade’ is one step further towards achieving this.”

Support

Diabetes UK successfully campaigned for a change in the law where schools are legally required to provide children with medical conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, asthma and epilepsy with the support they need at school.

The result is the Care in Schools helpline which is supported by the charity’s National Charity Partnership with Tesco.

Free advice packs for schools to help them implement the new law and free information packs for parents about what care they should expect in schools are available.

Roz Rosenblatt, London manager for Diabetes UK, said: “Our new helpline will ensure parents are supported in getting the help children with diabetes need during the school day.

“We know that while many schools offer fantastic support for children with Type 1 diabetes, some parents can really struggle to get the support that their child needs to make the most of their time at school.

“Our volunteers will be able to let parents know what support their children should be getting from their school, how they can make an official complaint and answers to important questions such as what should be in their child’s Individual Healthcare Plan.”

“All our volunteers for the new helpline have been specially selected and fully trained and will have some experience of diabetes.

Order free packs or contact the Care in School Helpline on 0345 123 2399 or go to www.diabetes.org.uk/schools.