Namely at our local youth club as our little boy is only 8 years old he can’t at this stage manage his Diabetes. Thus I always accompany him. However our local youth club has a policy now which does not allow parents to wait in the Reception area. I was brought a seat but then I was told to stand by the receptionist. In this case for 1hr each week. My partner thinks we should drop the class but our little one loves dancing any advice ? Would be really welcome
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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Hi my question relates to actives outs school
- Thread starter Fluffywoo
- Start date
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chaoticcar
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Can you get the diabetes nurse of GP to write a note explaining why you need to be with your child ?
Carol
Carol
Sally71
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Why do they not allow parents to stay? Have you told them why you need to be there? If you don't get anywhere talking to them directly then getting diabetes nurse to visit them or write a letter sounds like a good idea.
Thank you so much Carol really helpful will do Thanks Wendy
Thank you I’m not sure why they have adopted this policy but I do feel very uncomfortable having to stand there for an hour each week. I have stressed my child had Diabetes but I will definitely take your advice to and ask our nurse to. Write a letter thank you
Sally71
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Unfortunately most of the general public still think that having diabetes just means that you can't eat sugar, and they may have no idea that the condition may be life threatening if blood sugars drop too low. You might have to spell it out to them what being diabetic actually means! Good luck 🙂
Bronco Billy
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi Fluffywoo. Welcome to the forum. I hope I have some good news for you.
Diabetes is defined as a disability under the terms of the Equality Act 2010. This act allows for organisations such as youth clubs to apply something called ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to avoid what it calls ‘substantial disadvantage’. In the case of the act, this is defined as “something more than minor or trivial.” This can often be open to interpretation, but I think you could successfully argue that to maintain your son’s health, you need to be there with him as the consequences of a hypo, for example, may not be minor or trivial. The disadvantage arises from your son not being able to access the same service as the other children at the club due to his condition unless you are there with him. One of the criteria for assessing what is reasonable is “The extent to which it is practicable for an organisation to take the steps” To allow you to be nearby wouldn’t be a difficult practical step to take. Am I right in thinking that you are no longer allowed to wait in the reception area? If so, where do you wait now?
As others have suggested, speak to your DSN as she may be able to arrange for the club’s staff to have training. Have you told the staff why you need to be there and what your son’s needs are? Often, people with no experience of type 1 have no idea of its complexity and become more flexible when they are told of the reality. If this doesn’t work, give them a friendly explanation of their duty under the act as explained above. This often scares them into compliance without the need to take it further. If you would like me to send you the official document, please let me know. I've written this on the assumption that the youth club isn't attached to your child's school, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Diabetes is defined as a disability under the terms of the Equality Act 2010. This act allows for organisations such as youth clubs to apply something called ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to avoid what it calls ‘substantial disadvantage’. In the case of the act, this is defined as “something more than minor or trivial.” This can often be open to interpretation, but I think you could successfully argue that to maintain your son’s health, you need to be there with him as the consequences of a hypo, for example, may not be minor or trivial. The disadvantage arises from your son not being able to access the same service as the other children at the club due to his condition unless you are there with him. One of the criteria for assessing what is reasonable is “The extent to which it is practicable for an organisation to take the steps” To allow you to be nearby wouldn’t be a difficult practical step to take. Am I right in thinking that you are no longer allowed to wait in the reception area? If so, where do you wait now?
As others have suggested, speak to your DSN as she may be able to arrange for the club’s staff to have training. Have you told the staff why you need to be there and what your son’s needs are? Often, people with no experience of type 1 have no idea of its complexity and become more flexible when they are told of the reality. If this doesn’t work, give them a friendly explanation of their duty under the act as explained above. This often scares them into compliance without the need to take it further. If you would like me to send you the official document, please let me know. I've written this on the assumption that the youth club isn't attached to your child's school, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
The behaviour of the receptionist is unacceptable - if you were brought a chair and were obviously intended to use it, to order you to stand up should result in some strong words, either written or spoken, to whoever runs the place.
The policy of not allowing parents to wait also needs to be addressed - questioning them on their ability to cope if your child required assistance might bring home the stupidity of their ruling.
The policy of not allowing parents to wait also needs to be addressed - questioning them on their ability to cope if your child required assistance might bring home the stupidity of their ruling.
Hi @Fluffywoo and sorry to hear this. Have you taken any steps with the receptionist/youth club to approach this yet? Eg. had meeting with the manager or email correspondence to explain to them why it is important that you are there and what the implications are to your son's health? Sometimes it is a case of communicating with them so that they understand why this is important (you are not just worrying unnecessarily or being over-protective) and also to highlight that they have a responsibility to act fairly.
Furthermore, as @Bronco Billy mentioned, this is more than just doing the right thing and there are in fact legalities involved. Essentially, the right solution is the one that works for them and for you and your son. At the moment, the solution does not work for you. It may be worth exploring what their reason is for the policy as well? eg. is it to do with fire precautions etc.
Bets of luck and keep us updated with how you are getting on. 🙂
Furthermore, as @Bronco Billy mentioned, this is more than just doing the right thing and there are in fact legalities involved. Essentially, the right solution is the one that works for them and for you and your son. At the moment, the solution does not work for you. It may be worth exploring what their reason is for the policy as well? eg. is it to do with fire precautions etc.
Bets of luck and keep us updated with how you are getting on. 🙂
Bronco Billy
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
@Fluffywoo has there been any progress?
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