A mother is backing a new helpline to help children with type 1 diabetes make the most of their time at school.

Cindy Ingram, who lives in Longley Road, Harrow with her 12-year-old son Joshua, has joined a campaign for a helpline to support children in schools after Joshua was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The helpline, which is being launched as part of Diabetes UK’s Make the Grade campaign, aims to make sure children with type 1 diabetes are healthy, happy and well supported at school.

Mrs Ingram said: “Joshua’s school has been very supportive with his medical needs but I know this isn’t the case for all children with type 1 diabetes. There can be issues regarding school lunches when carbohydrate content information isn’t available or is confusing, especially at secondary school level when the child is expected to be independent.

“Some teachers’ attitudes can be a problem too as diabetes affects everyone differently. For example, children with type 1 diabetes need to be listened to when they say they don’t feel well and need to leave the class.

“Care plans and procedures are great, however unlike the paper they are printed on diabetes is not so black and white which is why our children need individual support from their school.”

The helpline, which is supported by the charity’s National Charity Partnership with Tesco, follows a new law that means that schools must provide children with medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes with the support they need.

Roz Rosenblatt, London manager for Diabetes UK, said: “Our new helpline will ensure parents are supported in getting the help children with diabetes need during the school day.

“We know that while many schools offer fantastic support for children with type 1 diabetes, some parents can really struggle to get the support that their child needs to make the most of their time at school.

“Our volunteers will be able to let parents know what support their children should be getting from their school, how they can make an official complaint and answers to important questions such as what should be in their child’s individual healthcare plan."