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Parents or carers of students with type 1 diabetes have the overall responsibility for their child’s health and wellbeing. They help make key decisions about their child’s diabetes management.
Key responsibilities of a parent or carer
- Ensure the diabetes management plan is up to date, so there is consistency in their child’s diabetes management at school.
- Give the school a copy of your child’s diabetes management plan:
- at the time of your child’s diagnosis
- if your child is starting at a new school
- at the beginning of a school year
- any time your child’s diabetes management changes. Note, the diabetes management plan must be updated by your child’s health professional(s) if their diabetes management changes.
- Regularly communicate with the school and keep them updated about your child’s diabetes management and any changes (including updates to their physical or emotional health and diabetes management plan).
- Support the school in providing care for your child such as labelling your child’s food with carbohydrate amounts to help with insulin dosing at lunch.
- Give consent so the school can support your child’s diabetes needs for reasonable adjustments, diabetes management, Level 3 Diabetes in Schools training, and to share information between the school and your child’s diabetes health professional(s).
- Make sure your child has their diabetes supplies and hypo kit with them at school each day (see the parent/carer checklist in the resource section below). You should also provide the school with backup diabetes equipment and supplies to ensure your child always has access to what they need.
Ensure your child’s diabetes management plan is up to date.
If your child’s diabetes management changes, talk to your child’s diabetes health professional(s) about updating the plan. It is important the school has up-to-date information so there is a shared understanding and consistency in your child’s diabetes management.
Resource and links for parents and carers
- Communicating with the school
- Diabetes management plans
- About type 1 diabetes
- Program FAQs
- Reasonable adjustments
- Consent laws
- Advocating for your child at school
Visit our resource library for more guides and checklists to help you support your child with type 1 diabetes at school.
Last updated: September 2025