Virtual College’s online course helps schools support young people with type 1 diabetes
Virtual College, has worked in association with JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity, and members of the National Children and Young Peoples Diabetes Network to create online learning resources to help teachers, support staff and any other professionals who work with young people with this condition.
There are currently 400,000 people in the UK with type 1 diabetes - over 29,000 of them are children.
Current legislation states that it is the duty of staff who work with children or young people who have type 1 diabetes to support them appropriately.
The ‘basic’ version of ‘An Awareness of Type 1 Diabetes in schools and other settings’ from Virtual College aims to provide an awareness of what type 1 diabetes is, the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia and how to support children and young people with the condition.
The ‘advanced’ version focuses more on best practice when monitoring glucose levels and how to administer insulin using various different devices.
Both courses are available free of charge, take about an hour to complete and are CPD (Continuous Professional Development) certified. On successful completion learners can download and print a certificate.
JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity, funds and drives world class research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes. They aim to ensure research moves forward and treatments are delivered as soon as possible, while giving support and a voice to people with type 1.
Virtual College worked with JDRF and a number of Paediatric Diabetes Specialists from the Children and Young People’s Diabetes Networks in order to create the resources.
Helena Nelson of JDRF said: ”The course is very practical, engaging and immersive with a series of challenges included to test retention and understanding.
“It is important for anyone working in a school with children with type 1 diabetes, to have a good understanding of the condition and how it should be managed. This course is the ideal way of building this knowledge in a time efficient way. “
The course is available at: http://type1diabetestraining.co.uk/.