To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving in schools to children with type 1 diabetes.
The Scottish Government believes that all children in Scotland, including those with diabetes, should be able to enjoy a full school life because their school gives them the necessary support.
Legislation, policy and guidance are in place to support this commitment. For example, the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 requires education authorities to identify, meet and keep under review the additional support needs of all pupils for whose education they are responsible, including those who have additional support needs arising from type 1 diabetes. The act emphasises the importance of effective multi-agency working. Meeting the needs of each individual pupil lies at the heart of this legislation.
In addition to the legislation to support schools and local authorities, the Scottish Government has produced Safe and Well guidance which provides a range of advice on issues which may affect children and young people while they are attending school. The guidance contains specific advice on the development of health care plans to meet the needs of individual pupils, including administration of medicines.
NHS boards have statutory responsibility for the medical inspection, supervision and treatment of pupils in schools, including the administration of medicines, and education authorities help them to discharge this responsibility. They have a duty to ensure that they have suitably trained staff in place and to make appropriate arrangements and provision for children with diabetes. No child should go through school without their needs being identified and addressed.