How long will the needs last?

Diabetes Duration Guidance

This guidance covers:-

Diabetes with visual complications – Retinopathy. For information on H/R Mob SVI deeming provisions see Visual Impairment Deeming Provisions.

The important indicator in terms of care needs in diabetes is whether treatment with insulin is required. Children with Type 1 diabetes will always need insulin treatment and sometimes those with Type 2 diabetes will also require this treatment. Children with type 2 diabetes are unlikely to have significant care needs unless they are receiving insulin treatment.

Insulin injection treatment

A child having insulin injection treatment is likely to require attention with treatment until the 12th birthday and awards are recommended to finish then in the typical case. A child aged 11 and over, diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes is likely to become competent at managing their condition in 12 months so awards of one year are recommended.

Insulin pump treatment

A child who moves on to insulin pump treatment after a period on insulin injections or who uses an insulin pump from diagnosis is likely to require attention until the 14th birthday. A teenager who starts using an insulin pump is likely to become competent at managing it in 12 months, awards of one year are recommended.

Exceptions

Care needs related to insulin treatment may be prolonged beyond the ages given above in the following situations -:

• Difficult to control diabetes.
• Any diagnosed behavioural condition or developmental condition which affects ability to independently manage treatment on a daily basis at the usual age expected.
• A small minority of children may not comply with their insulin treatment despite being old enough to manage it themselves. Such children may continue to receive extra care beyond the age expected. In these cases the specific measures taken at home and at school to control, monitor or supervise diabetes treatment should be confirmed in medical or other evidence.

There will be written evidence of such care if extra care is required.

All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of care and mobility needs. The duration of care and mobility needs must be based on the particular circumstances of the child.