The Diabetes in Schools program provides consistent, nationally developed information and training to help parents, families, principals, school staff, and health professionals support students with type 1 diabetes at school.
Managing type 1 diabetes at school can be overwhelming for students and families, and many school staff may feel uncertain about how to help. This program aims to bridge that gap, offering:
- tools and resources to assist in understanding type 1 diabetes
- training and support for schools and families to ensure students are fully supported at school.
The program has been co-designed with input from diabetes health professionals, parents, principals, and school staff, and is backed by leading Australian diabetes organisations. By working together, the program ensures students with type 1 diabetes can thrive at school.
Community insights
The Diabetes in Schools program was shaped through extensive consultation, starting in late 2018. Input was gathered from over:
1000 families
700 school staff
320 health professionals
2000 national survey participants
Key findings from the consultation revealed:
- A lack of access to a consistent, national schools training program was a significant issue for schools and parents.
- While some schools worked effectively with families, many were hesitant to assist with administering insulin or supporting other diabetes management tasks during school hours.
This feedback highlighted the need for a program to better equip schools in supporting students with type 1 diabetes.
Your feedback
“I think the main message is one of positivity – positive action leads to positive health.”
~ School Principal ~
“Loved the online training program – it’s very engaging, simple and left me wanting more.”
~ Health professional ~
“I love this training system. It is logical and concise. Repeated messages that reinforce management and provide guidelines for action if necessary. Congratulations on the development of an amazing resource“
~ Health professional ~
“Diabetes in Schools is a comprehensive, evidence-based program to support students, parents, principals, school staff and health care professionals in managing diabetes in order for students to fully enjoy school life.”
~ Health professional ~
“It has been an absolute privilege to be involved in this project. I am so impressed with the work that has been done and what national significance the program will have for families.”
~ Health professional ~
“The training was very comprehensive and clear.”
~ Teacher ~
“Clear and simple training that is informative. I feel that the training hits the right areas and is pitched at the right level.”
~ Assistant School Principal ~
“I really like this. It’s playful, friendly, and eye-catching but also stresses the importance of good diabetes management in schools. The tagline ‘It takes a team to support their dreams’ is great.”
~ Parent ~
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
The Diabetes in Schools program would not have been possible without the invaluable time and expertise of parents, teachers, school staff, school nurses, principals, and health professionals.
Diabetes Australia extends its gratitude to all stakeholders who played a vital role in shaping the program. This includes representatives from:
- State and territory Departments of Education and Health
- Catholic and independent school associations
- Principal associations
- Peak health groups
- Paediatric diabetes specialist services
- Diabetes consumer organisations
A special thanks goes to Education Queensland and the State School Nursing Service for their exceptional contribution to the development of the program’s training materials.
OUR PARTNERS
Diabetes in Schools was launched in 2020 and is regularly reviewed.
The program was developed by Diabetes Australia with support from the Australian Government, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australia and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Breakthrough T1D.
Last updated: September 2025