Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is provided by his Department to children who are absent from school as a result of diabetes.

The department has published statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions at school, including diabetes, which is clear that schools, local authorities, health professionals, commissioners and other support services should work together to ensure that children with medical conditions receive a full education.

Local authorities should be ready to take responsibility for any child whose illness will prevent them from attending school for 15 school days or more, either in one absence or over the course of a school year, and where suitable education is not otherwise being arranged.

I am hosting a roundtable with the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance in May 2018 where issues such as this will be discussed.