A charity wants parents and carers across Newham to take part in a project that could improve the care that diabetic children receive at school.

Diabetes UK wants them to take part in a Government consultation on how children with the condition should be supported in school.

It was launched following the publication of draft Government guidance into what all schools will be expected to do from September 2014 to support children with medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy and Type 1 diabetes.

It follows the decision by the Government last September to amend the Children and Families Bill so that it includes a legal obligation for schools to support children with these long-term health conditions.

Although Diabetes UK has welcomed the new legal protection and the draft guidance it thinks the guidance needs strengthening to ensure that it will make a big difference to the lives of children with Type 1 diabetes and other health conditions. The charity wants people in Newham to respond to the six-week consultation on the guidance to help ensure the final version is stronger.

Roz Rosenblatt, Diabetes UK London Region Manager, said: “Some parents and carers are telling us that their children are being refused help with their insulin or are refused a snack to help treat low blood sugar levels. In some cases parents have even had to go into the school to administer insulin, which puts a huge strain, emotionally and financially, on their families.

“This is why we are urging everyone, and especially parents, carers and people affected by diabetes, in the area to have their say and tell the Government what they think of care for children with Type 1 diabetes in schools. By taking part in the consultation, we can help ensure all children with Type 1 diabetes get the support they need in school.”

Under the current system, many children with Type 1 diabetes are prevented from meeting their academic potential because the additional support they need as a result of their condition is not in place. They can be excluded from school activities, denied places on school trips, and refused help with injecting, which means their parents have to go into school to help them.

Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition and if not managed properly can lead to the child’s blood glucose levels going either dangerously high or dangerously low. In the long term, high blood glucose levels in childhood can increase risk of serious complications such as amputation, blindness and stroke later in life.

To take part in the consultation, go to education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=Respond&consultationId=1947