Every child should have the right to feel safe and supported in school but sadly this is not the case for some children with long term health conditions such as Type 1 diabetes.

While many of these children receive exceptional care, some children struggle to get the extra care they need in school because of their condition and as a result are experiencing avoidable ill health that stops them from fully participating in their education.

Some children have even been forced to move schools or be home schooled due to their parents’ concerns about their safety, while in other cases parents are unable to work as they have to go into school to administer medication, which can create huge financial and emotional strain.

But while we welcome the fact that from September there will be a legal requirement to support children with long-term health conditions, this will only make a real difference if it is backed by strong guidance about what this means.

This is why Diabetes UK is encouraging people and especially parents, carers and people affected by diabetes, to take part in the Government’s consultation on the draft guidance which will underpin this new legal duty.

By taking part in the consultation, people can help ensure that all children are fully able to take part in their school life, even if they have a long-term health condition. We at Diabetes UK have set out our view on the draft guidance at www.diabetes.org.uk/make-the-grade and through this page your readers can tell the Government what they think.

The consultation closes on Friday March 14 so we would urge your readers not to miss the chance to take part.

Roz Rosenblatt, London Regional manager, Diabetes UK