Why consent is important
To provide effective support for students with type 1 diabetes, schools must obtain informed consent from the student’s parents or legal guardians. This consent is crucial for:
- Authorising school staff support – allowing designated school staff to assist with daily diabetes management tasks, such as monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin.
- Sharing health information – permitting the disclosure of the student’s private and confidential health information to relevant parties involved in their care.
Without this consent, schools may be limited in their ability to support the student’s health needs effectively.
What consent should cover
The consent provided by parents or legal guardians should include:
- Specific support actions – clearly outlining the tasks school staff are authorised to perform, such as blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration.
- Diabetes management plan details – documenting the agreed-upon strategies between the parents or legal guardians and the school for managing the student’s diabetes, including who will provide support.
- Updates on support personnel – ensuring the consent is updated if there are changes in the school staff supporting the student.
- Information sharing – authorising the sharing of the student’s health information with relevant parties, including:
- other school staff involved in the student’s care
- external agencies, such as the education department
- the student’s diabetes health professional(s)
- any third parties or individuals providing diabetes education, training or other services to school staff or the student.
Keeping consent up to date
Consent is not a one-time process. It should be reviewed and updated regularly, especially when:
- there are changes to the student’s diabetes management plan
- the student transitions to a new school year or class
- there are changes in the designated staff supporting the student.
Regular updates ensure that the school’s support aligns with the student’s current health needs and that all parties are informed of any changes.
Legal requirements for schools
Schools are legally required to:
Obtain written consent
Secure documented consent from the student's parents or legal guardian to provide diabetes-related support.
Document and store consent
Include the consent in the student's diabetes management plan and retain a copy for the school's records.
Ensure specificity
Make sure the consent details the specific support actions agreed upon and identifies the staff member(s) responsible.
Authorise information sharing
Confirm that the consent permits sharing the student's health information with necessary parties for effective implementation of the diabetes management plan in the school.
Comply with Privacy Act
Comply with the applicable requirements set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) including the Australian Privacy Principles.
Learn more about relevant laws for your state or territory
Disclaimer:
The content of this page is only intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. The exact legal position and requirements that will apply will always depend on your individual and surrounding circumstances. The information on this page does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you need legal advice, we recommend that you consult with a qualified legal professional for specialist advice about your specific circumstances.
Last updated: September 2025