Summary
T1 rights at school is a voluntary group which advises and supports parents who need help with care at school for their child with Type 1 diabetes, not least with making sure they are fully included in all aspects of school life. Its activities include a Facebook group for people to discuss and raise grievances. It is also used for advice and support regarding school issues, to share information and to create awareness of the rights of children at school. Advice is sought daily on all aspects of school life including discrimination against pupils with Type 1 diabetes. There have been a lot of successes from the school group including supporting parents to gain an education, health and care plan (EHCP) and providing help in some disability discrimination cases.
Results
Parents are advised and supported almost instantly when posting up on the group, pointed towards files that can help and given advice from administrators and other members of the group who have experienced similar situations. Many EHCPs or SENs have been awarded for Type 1 diabetes alone following the advice and information in the group. Care in schools that were not supporting children with Type 1 diabetes has improved and more members are being added to the group daily, which means more information is being passed on to parents regarding these issues. The group has approximately 1,800 members with 90% visiting daily to weekly for advice - or to give advice and experiences. The group has made a positive impact on 89% of members’ children’s school life with issues ranging from attendance issues, care in school, care plans, training and support including afterschool clubs.
Challenge
Danni Quinn created T1 rights at school after winning a disability tribunal against the school attended by her son, who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of four. There was little available in terms of specific support and there was a need for somewhere for parents to be able to communicate. This was the beginnng of several years’ of fighting the local authority, which by court order now funds a private online school where her son is studying for GCSEs.
Objectives
To support and advise parents who have a child with Type 1 diabetes on their rights regarding education and any issues arising from schools and education departments not adhering to their duty of support. This can include discrimination tribunals, gaining an EHCP or special educational needs (SEN) support for a child with Type 1 diabetes or just explaining how the current legislation is relevant.
Solution
A Facebook group was set up and local groups and parents were pointed towards it. Support is offered in phone calls, personal messages and pointing to the relevant legislation and posting it up so that others with the same issues can access it. There is a wide range of files that group members can access including health care plans, documents to support EHCP requests and disability discrimination laws.
Learnings
The group collectively produces a very wide picture of education and school issues, which can include local authorities and governing bodies not correctly adhering to codes of practice and relevant new legislation and guidance. A lot of support is given to children with Type 1 diabetes at school – but evidently there is not enough and hospital teams also need to be supporting children and parents with these issues. There are plans to set up an independent advocacy service to give more detailed help during tribunal processes for discrimination and EHCPs.
Evaluation
Since the group started in January 2013, around 30% of members’ children have one-to-one support, funded support, statement of educational needs or an EHCP direct from the support of the group solely for their type 1 diabetes.
