What is a diabetes management plan?
A diabetes management plan is an essential document that outlines a student’s daily diabetes care needs. The plan helps schools provide the necessary support and reasonable adjustments for the student’s wellbeing and ability to participate in school activities.
The student’s diabetes health professionals develop the diabetes management plan with the student and parents/carers. This plan details the student’s daily diabetes care needs such as glucose monitoring and insulin. It also includes an action or emergency plan with clear information on what to do when urgent action is needed.
A copy of the diabetes management plan (and action plan) should accompany the student on all off-site excursions, including school camps.
The school should:
- implement and follow the plan
- collaborate with parents/carers to make reasonable adjustments based on the plan
- use the plan to develop an individual care plan or risk assessment as required by their policies and procedures
- have reasonable expectations on parent/carers time when the child is transitioning back to school. It is unreasonable to expect parents/carers to attend school regularly to support the student.
Information in a diabetes management plan
A student’s diabetes management plan should include the following information.
- Glucose monitoring requirements at school (continuous glucose monitoring and/or blood glucose checks), including:
- when and where glucose should be checked
- glucose target range
- level of staff assistance needed.
- Symptoms of low and high glucose levels and any action required.
- An action or emergency plan for when prompt action is needed, such as managing low and high blood glucose levels.
- When to check blood ketones and any action required.
- Insulin requirements at school, including:
- when and where insulin should be given
- how insulin is given (pump or pen)
- determining insulin doses
- level of staff assistance needed.
- How to manage glucose levels before, during and after physical activity.
- Contact details of the parents/carers and the student’s diabetes health professional(s).
- What to do in the event of a lockdown or evacuation.
The diabetes management plan should state the date of the next planned review. Any changes should be noted and dated. Any changes to the plan should only be made by the student’s diabetes health professional(s), and must be clearly noted an dated.
Consent
The student’s parents/carers and the school principal must sign the consent section in the diabetes management plan, allowing school staff to:
- provide the agreed support and adjustments to the student (e.g., assisting with glucose monitoring or giving insulin)
- share key information with others (such as the student’s diabetes health professional(s)) as needed.
*Example only
Roles and responsibilities
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Role of parents/carers
Parents/carers should coordinate with their child’s diabetes health professional(s) to review and update the plan at least once a year (or when changes occur during the year).
They should also provide a copy of the plan to the school when:
- their child enrols in a new school
- their child returns to school after a diagnosis
- there has been a change to the plan.
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Role of designated staff
Designated staff play a critical role in following the student’s diabetes management plan while the student is at school.
Designated staff should receive training in diabetes management in schools to support them in their role. They serve as a key point of contact and work closely with parents or carers and the student’s diabetes health professional(s) to plan how best to manage the student’s type 1 diabetes during school hours.
It is important that all staff within the school are aware of who the designated staff members are, so they know who to contact should a student require support.
Additionally, the principal and designated staff member(s) will need to ensure that medications are stored safely, in accordance with the school’s medications policy, and in a way that takes account of the student’s needs as outlined in the diabetes management plan.
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Role of the school principal
To effectively identify students with type 1 diabetes and implement their diabetes management plan at school, school principals should take the following steps.
- Identify the student: Ensure there is a clear process identifying students with type 1 diabetes at the time of their enrolment.
- Get the diabetes management plan: Ask the parents/carers for the student’s diabetes management plan. Let them know the school cannot fully support the student without it and it needs to be current (updated every year or when changes occur during the year).
- Document adjustments to the plan: Work with the student and their parents/carers to implement the plan. Document the adjustments that will support the student in the school environment.
- Provide support: In consultation with the parents/carers, ensure the student will receive the support need to follow their diabetes management plan.
- Coordinate staff training: Ensure school staff can provide the student with appropriate support by coordinating the relevant, necessary training.
- Mitigate risk: Ensure there is a diabetes action plan in place and staff are aware of it and know what to do in case of an emergency.
- Check for plan updates: Regularly review the plan with designated staff and check in with the family for any updates to the plan.
Effectively implementing a student’s diabetes management plan will ensure the student receives the support they need to manage their diabetes effectively and safely while at school.
Additionally, the principal and designated staff member(s) will need to ensure that medications are stored safely, in accordance with the school’s medications policy, and in a way that takes account of the student’s needs as outlined in the diabetes management plan.
State and territory diabetes management plans
Diabetes management plans will differ in format and detail depending on the state or territory.
In some states, schools must also develop a separate school health plan. This plan does not replace the student’s diabetes management plan but provides more details about what adjustments a school will put in place to support the student.
Last updated: September 2025