School/College & Beyond
Welcome to the School/ College & Beyond Section
Type 1 diabetes is a journey with both highs and lows. Our Letting Go film and related resources are designed to support you as your child grows and gradually takes on more responsibility for their care.
At DigiBete, we offer a wide range of resources to support young people and their families throughout the type 1 diabetes journey from toddlers and children, through to teenagers and young adults. This page brings together the support available at every stage of life.
For those seeking support in schools, visit diabetesinschools.org, a dedicated platform offering FREE courses for both primary and secondary schools. These courses help school staff and anyone caring for a child with type 1 diabetes better understand their care needs and feel confident in providing day-to-day support.
You’ll also find resources to support young adults as they transition into university, college, or the workplace.
Please use this page to explore the support that’s right for you and your child, wherever you are on your diabetes journey.
Letting Go
Negotiating Independence PDF Resource
Parenting a child with diabetes involves a constant balance between stepping in and letting go. Each stage of life brings new milestones, challenges, and opportunities for your child to take more ownership of their care. Some days they may welcome your help with monitoring or planning, while other days they may want more space to manage things themselves. This back-and-forth is a normal and healthy part of growing up and developing independence.
Read about Negotiating Independence and Letting Go with this helpful PDF Resource.
Support For Young Children
If you have a very young child with Type 1 diabetes, these lovely top tips from Megan, the Diabetes Play Specialist at Leeds Children’s Hospital, can really help. They’re designed to support you in talking to your child about diabetes in a simple, gentle way that makes it easier for them to understand what’s going on and feel more comfortable with their care.
Young Children & Diabetes Care Top Tips PDF Resource
Young Children & Diabetes Care Tips
Support For Primary & Secondary School
Hear from parents as they share their thoughts and insights on parenting children with Type 1 diabetes, including how they manage the transition of care when their child is at school. This powerful film is part of the Diabetes in Schools platform, where you can find support and resources to help schools better understand Type 1 diabetes and confidently meet children’s care needs.
Parents & Type 1 Diabetes In Schools
Below you will find some helpful resources for type 1 diabetes awareness in schools and some fun activity sheets you can download and print off if you have a young child. A PDF resource with helpful information on day trips or residentials and a PDF that will help your child if they are transitioning from primary school to high school.
DigiBete Doodles
On this page you will find a selection of helpful resources which you can download and print off at home.
Blue Balloon Challenge
On this page you’ll find lots of ideas and resources to support awareness of diabetes in schools and communities.
Transition from Primary School to Secondary School PDF Resource
Day Trips & Residentials PDF Resource
Exam Support
Exams can be a stressful time for both children and parents, this is an especially challenging time when living with diabetes.
Schools are responsible for putting reasonable and appropriate arrangements in place to support young people with type 1 diabetes during exams. These arrangements should follow national guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions.
Your child’s school, together with the exam boards, will make decisions based on your child’s individual needs and their usual way of managing diabetes.
Below you will find some helpful resources if your child is taking exams.
Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions
BreakthroughT1D - Taking Exams
Exams & Diabetes Management at School
Support For Young Adults
If you are a parent supporting a young person with type 1 diabetes, here are some resources you can share and explore together. They are designed to support your young person as they transition into university, college, or the workplace, helping them build confidence and independence. You can find more resources like these in the DigiBete Adults section.
Top Tips for University
Here are some top tips for University
Top Tips for University
Top Tips for Work
Here are some top tips for managing work and type 1 diabetes.
Top Tips For Work