PEOPLE in Worcestershire are being encouraged to have their say on new guidelines for supporting children with long-term medical conditions such as diabetes.

From September new laws will come into force requiring schools to support children with such conditions, but the charity Diabetes UK has urged people to have their say on the plans before they are finalised.

The charity’s regional manager in the Midlands Peter Shorrick said the new law would only make a real difference if it was backed by strong guidance.

“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, both here in Worcester and across the country,” he said.

“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 put a huge financial and emotional strain on families."

The consultation can be found at www.diabetes.org.uk/make-the-grade https://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=Respond&consultationId=1947