Advocating for your Child at School

Every child deserves an inclusive learning environment where they can thrive. Schools must provide reasonable adjustments to ensure students with type 1 diabetes can fully participate in school life. These adjustments will vary based on your child’s individual needs and should be discussed with the school principal.

How to advocate for your child

Step 1: Understand your child’s needs

✔ Learn about reasonable adjustments and your child’s rights.

• You can learn more about ‘reasonable adjustments’ under Part 3 of the Disability Standards for Education.

✔ Identify key challenges your child may face at school.
✔ Work with your child’s diabetes health professional(s) to develop a diabetes management plan (DMP).

Step 2: Communicate with the school

✔ Contact the principal or relevant staff before the school year begins.
✔ Share the diabetes management plan and discuss reasonable adjustments.
✔ Identify designated staff who will support your child.

Step 3: Develop a school support plan

✔ Collaborate with the school to establish a support plan that outlines:

• When and where blood glucose checks will happen.
• Access to food, water, and restrooms.
• Insulin administration and hypo/hyper management.

✔ Ensure all teachers and relevant staff are aware of the plan.

Step 4: Monitor and maintain communication

✔ Regularly check in with teachers and support staff.
✔ Address any issues early through open discussions.
✔ Encourage your child to speak up about their needs.

Step 5: Advocate if challenges arise

✔ If issues occur, escalate concerns to the school principal.
✔ Request a meeting to adjust the support plan.
✔ Seek external advocacy. You do not have to do everything yourself; you can get professional help from an independent advocate.

For more information refer to pages 18-22 of the How to advocate booklet.

Step 6: Ongoing support and review

✔ Adjust the plan as your child’s needs evolve.
✔ Reinforce independence as your child grows.
✔ Stay informed about school policies and legal protections.

Remember: You are your child’s strongest advocate! Open communication and collaboration with the school are key to ensuring they receive the support they need.

Conversations with the school

• Discuss challenges and solutions with the school principal, teachers and staff.
• Provide documentation from health professionals if needed.
• Stay engaged and revisit plans as needs evolve.

For more information, go to our Communicating with the school page.

When issues arise

If challenges occur, keep communication open and seek support from advocacy groups or your child’s health professional(s).

Schools are legally required to support students with medical needs, and you have the right to request necessary adjustments. Raising your concerns with the school using a collaborative approach is important. These resources may help:

• Advocating with and for your child
• How to advocate
• Steps to raise concerns and resolve complaints with your school
• Working together: Meetings toolkit

If concerns remain unresolved after taking these steps, there are formal complaint processes available, including support through the Making a complaint under the DDA and DSE fact sheet.

More information and resources

State and Territory Laws & Policies

Last updated: September 2025