A school in Tremorfa, Cardiff has won an award for providing great care to children and young people with Type 1 diabetes.
Baden Powell Primary School was chosen for the Diabetes UK ‘Good Diabetes Care in School Award’ because of the support it provides to students with the condition, the help it offers to manage their diabetes safely, and the care it takes to include them in all school activities.
Type 1 diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition where blood glucose levels are too high because the body can’t make a hormone called insulin. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable. It is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump.
People with Type 1 diabetes need to check their blood glucose levels using a blood glucose testing device several times a day. This is important because over a long period of time, high glucose levels in the blood can lead to the development of complications. But with the right treatment and care, the long-term effects of diabetes and high glucose levels can be managed.
The recognition scheme aims to raise awareness of the vital role good diabetes care in school plays in keeping students safe, supporting them to achieve full academic potential and promoting their personal development.
Ceri Gibbon, Acting Head Teacher, Baden Powell Primary School, said, “We had a child with us through nursery, reception and year 1 with Type 1 diabetes, who left us to move to another school last summer. We worked very closely with the hospital and paediatric specialist nurse Corrina Bretland to offer the family as much support as we were able.
“We held whole-school training for staff to ensure that all staff were aware of the condition and able to recognise signs and concerns. Sara Howard, Lisa Hill, Linda Cole and Shauna Lewis were all particularly supportive in making sure that readings were taken, insulin administered and every meal carb counted to keep the child with diabetes healthy and well.
“As a school we prioritise the wellbeing of all our children and were delighted to receive the award recognising this.”
Dai Williams, National Director, Diabetes UK Cymru, said, “Congratulations to Baden Powell Primary for doing such a fantastic job supporting students with Type 1 diabetes.
“Every child and young person with diabetes deserves to have the same opportunities as their friends, and their parents should be confident they’re looked after properly in school. We encourage all schools in Cardiff and across Wales to follow Baden Powell’s example, so that children and young people stay healthy and get the best from their education.
For more information on the Good Diabetes Care in School Award visit: www.diabetes.org.uk/care-award.
