Junior KICkOFF: Diabetes Education for Children Under 11 Years

The aim of the study is to

• To produce an educational curriculum and teaching material for three groups

• Key stage one (KS1)(4-7 yrs)
• Key stage two (KS2) (8-11 yrs)
• Parents
• To undertake pilot evaluation to establish

• the feasibility of running the different education sessions, addressing access and other practical issues
• the educational value of the packages produced with the aim of further refinement of the curriculum
• the acceptability of the sessions to participants and parents
• a process evaluation of the individual components of the packages
• potential biomedical and psychological benefits, to provide data for a power calculation for a larger randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of the educational package

The first phase of the project involves development of curriculum for the education of 4-11 yr old children with type 1 diabetes. Participants in key stage one will be taught a basic understanding of carbohydrate, exercise and insulin balance, hypoglycaemia and injections/pump basics and blood glucose testing. Older participants (Key stage two) will be taught similar topics but with increasing complexity appropriate to their age and understanding. The teaching will use approaches similar to those employed in schools and therefore the research team will work with primary school teachers and experts in education to ensure appropriate techniques and resources are employed. The focus of the education for parents will be to help them teach and encourage their children to develop their diabetes skills as they grow up.

The second phase of the project involves delivery of courses to each age group. The main focus of this will be to assess the acceptability of the curriculum. Feasibility in terms of practical arrangements, timing, use of resources etc will be examined. Feedback from an independent expert observer as well as from participants and educators will allow the curriculum to be assessed and adapted if necessary prior to larger scale study.

Some outcome measures are being examined. The investigators aim to assess whether older children's knowledge has changed pre and post course, whether diabetes self management within the family has altered and whether there is any impact on glycaemic control and quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

• Child 4-11 years of age
• Attending primary school
• Type 1 diabetes> 1 yr duration

Exclusion criteria

• Non English speaking families
• Significant learning difficulties
• Co-morbidity likely to affect glycaemic control