NIAGARA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT DIABETES MANAGEMENT  ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES		300 – Schools/Students	No 302.1.3			Adopted Date: June 12,2012
Latest Reviewed/Revised Date: January 25, 2022

1.   Parents/Guardians:

 

As primary caregivers of their child, parents/guardians are expected to be active participants in supporting the management of their child’s diabetes. At a minimum, parents/guardians should:

 

1.1.   Educate their child about their condition with support from their child’s health care professional as needed.

 

1.2.   Guide and encourage their child to reach their full potential for diabetes self-management and self-advocacy.

 

1.3.   Inform the school of their child’s condition and co-create the Student Diabetes Management Plan of Care (Appendix B) and Student Diabetes Emergency Action Plan (Appendix C) with the Principal/Designate.

 

1.4.   Communicate to the Principal/Designate changes to their child’s condition that would necessitate a revision to the Plan of Care or Emergency Action Plan, such as changes to medications or the child’s ability to manage their medical condition.

 

1.5.   Participate in annual meetings to review their child’s Plan of Care.

 

1.6.   Assume responsibility for the provision of all supplies (such as food and low blood sugar kit) for the student to access at school, and track any expiration dates for provided supplies or medications. Additional supplies should be provided for special events such as excursions or days with high levels of physical activity.

 

1.7.   Inform Home and Community Care Support Services (formerly known as the Local Health Integration Network or LHIN) of any planned field trips as nurses assigned by Home and Community Care Support Services to support the student are able to visit the student within the region.

 

1.8.   Seek medical advice from health care professionals as needed.

 

2.   Students:

 

Depending on their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical stage of development, and their capacity for self-management, students are expected to actively support the development and implementation of their Plan of Care. Students should:

 

1.  

2.  

2.1.   Advocate for their personal safety and well-being in a manner that is consistent with their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical stage of development and their capacity for self-management.

 

2.2.   Participate in the development of their Student Diabetes Management Plan of Care and/or Student Diabetes Emergency Action Plan where appropriate.

 

2.3.   Participate in meetings to review their Plan of Care where appropriate.

 

2.4.   To the best of their ability, self-manage their diabetes, as described in their Plan of Care.

 

2.5.   Where appropriate, set goals for self managing their condition, in conjunction with their parents/guardians and health care professional, and communicate their goals to the Principal/Designate.

 

2.6.   Communicate with their parents/guardians and school staff if they are facing challenges related to their condition at school.

 

2.7.   Wear medical alert identification that they and/or their parents/guardians deem appropriate, and manage/maintain supplies related to their diabetes management when appropriate.

 

2.8.   If possible, inform school staff and/or their peers if a medical incident or medical emergency occurs.

 

3.   School Staff:

 

As key partners who support the successful integration of students with diabetes, school staff will:

 

1.  

2.  

3.  

3.1.   Foster a culture of collaborative professionalism to support students with diabetes by having frequent, open communication with parents, students, and school staff which will support a positive attitude toward students’ full inclusion in all activities.

 

3.2.   Review the contents of the Student Diabetes Management Plan of Care and Student Diabetes Emergency Action Plan for any student with whom they have direct contact.

 

3.3.   Annually, participate in any relevant training on prevalent medical conditions.

 

3.4.   Share information on a student’s signs and symptoms with other students if the parents/guardians give written consent and as outlined in the Plan of Care.

 

3.5.   Support a student’s daily or routine diabetes management. Students need a safe and hygienic location in the school where they are comfortable to perform self-blood glucose monitoring and insulin injections throughout the school day. In some instances, they may require support or supervision of these activities from school staff.

 

3.6.   Seek support (as necessary) from parents/guardians and/or Home and Community Care Support Services for students who may not be able to perform self-blood glucose monitoring and/or insulin administration throughout the school day. This will be discussed as part of the Plan of Care development and reviewed annually.

 

3.7.   Provide students flexibility with regards to the timing of meals and snacks so that the student maintains proper blood sugar levels. Students need the flexibility, and in some cases supervision, to eat all meals and snacks fully and on time. Food provided by the family should never be withheld from the student.

 

3.8.   Post the Plan of Care and Emergency Action Plan in the classroom and any other designated areas in the school as necessary, while being aware of confidentiality and the dignity of the student. In addition, emergency food supplies or low blood sugar kit to respond to hypoglycaemia are to be available in the classroom and/or other locations in the school. The location of emergency supplies will be recorded on the Plan of Care. Staff should be aware of the location of all emergency supplies.

 

3.9.   Communicate with parents/guardians in advance regarding classroom activities or other special activities where food may be served and after unplanned exercise or extra-curricular activity.

 

3.10.   Follow procedures outlined in the Emergency Action Plan if a student becomes unresponsive at any time or their condition requires medical intervention.

 

4.   Principal:

 

In addition to the responsibilities outlined under “School Staff”, the Principal/designate will:

 

1.  

2.  

3.  

4.  

4.1.   In conjunction with parents/guardians, the student (if appropriate), school staff and other relevant professionals), develop a Student Diabetes Management Plan of Care for each individual student who is identified with diabetes in accordance with their specific medical requirements. All stakeholders will be invited to attend the Plan of Care Case Conference, including Diabetes Education Centre or other relevant medical professionals. Principals are also to ensure there is an annual review of the Plan of Care and update the plan if necessary.

 

4.2.   In conjunction with parents/guardians, the student (if appropriate), school staff and other relevant professionals), develop a Student Diabetes Emergency Action Plan and ensure that all staff are aware of the Action Plan and for each individual student the role and responsibility assigned to them in carrying out the plan.

 

4.3.   Provide relevant information from the student’s Plan of Care and Emergency Action Plan to school staff and others who are identified in the Plan of Care or Emergency Action Plan (e.g., food service providers, transportation providers, volunteers, occasional staff who will be in direct contact with student).

 

4.4.   Ensure that the Plan of Care and Emergency Action Plan for each student with diabetes is posted in the classroom, staff room, office area, health room, attendance, and storage area for medications.

 

4.5.   Ensure occasional staff are informed about the needs of students with diabetes under their care.

 

4.6.   Ensure that school activities, including excursions, are planned in an inclusive manner to enable accommodation of students with prevalent medical needs, including diabetes.

 

5.   School Board:

 

The Niagara Catholic District School Board is responsible for:

 

1.  

2.  

3.  

4.  

5.  

5.1.   Providing opportunities for staff to build their capacity around supporting students with diabetes and responding to their medical needs that may include presentations from relevant medical professionals, training or instruction strategies or procedures, or any other relevant information regarding an individual student’s needs.

 

5.2.   Develop, review, and revise relevant documentation, such as the Student Diabetes Management Plan of Care, Student Diabetes Emergency Action Plan, and any relevant consent documentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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