Young people - resources
Here are links to evidence-based resources which support this area of practice. You may also want to refer to information about the national service frameworks and strategies across the UK.
Some of the resources listed below are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.
Guidelines and guidance
British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (2009) BSPED recommended DKA guidelines 2009 (PDF 232KB)
These guidelines were originally produced by a working group of the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. They have been modified in the light of guidelines produced by the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (2000), the recent ESPE/LWPES consensus statement on diabetic ketoacidosis in children and adolescents (Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2004, 89 pages 188 to 194), and guidelines produced by the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes.
Department of Health (2007) Making every young person with diabetes matter
This report sets out the findings of a working group established to examine the current challenges and seek solutions to them. It provides guidance and makes recommendations in a number of areas, including commissioning, organisation of care, provision of services and workforce.
Department of Health (2006) Transition: getting it right for young people. Improving the transition of young people with long term conditions from children's to adult health services
This good practice guide aims to show that the handover from children's and young people's services to adult services should be planned and managed as a process. The guide suggests how this can best be accomplished in the context of the evidence base.
Department of Health (2001) National service framework for diabetes: Standard 5: Clinical care of children and young people with diabetes
The aim is "to ensure that the special needs of children and young people with diabetes are recognised and met, thereby ensuring that, when they enter adulthood, they are in the best of health and able to manage their own day-to-day diabetes care effectively".
Map of Medicine: Type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents – suspected diabetes
Map of Medicine provides evidence-based, practice-informed pathways designed primarily for health care professionals. The pathways can be adapted for use at local level.
NICE (2004): Type 1 diabetes: diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes in children, young people and adults
The guideline makes recommendations about the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children and young people and about the care that should be available for them. It also covers the transition to adult care.
NICE pathways: Diabetes overview
NICE Pathways is an online tool for health and social care professionals that brings together all related NICE guidance and associated products in a set of interactive topic-based diagrams. In this pathway for diabetes there is a section on Managing type 1 diabetes in children and young people.
Royal College of Nursing (2011) Children and young people with diabetes: RCN guidance for newly-appointed nurse specialists (PDF 1.1MB)
Specialist nurses have a significant impact on good diabetic control and overall management. As many specialist nurses work in isolation this guidance has been developed to sign post key resources and sources of support to those new to a specialist role key. The guidance also highlights issues that need to be considered by the individual as well as their employing organisation.
Royal College of Nursing (2009) Supporting children and young people with diabetes: guidance for nurses in schools and early years settings (PDF 743.0KB)
The RCN is aware of inequality in the care provision for children and young people with diabetes in schools and early years settings. This document outlines the principles that health care professionals and education staff should apply to ensure the needs of children and young people with diabetes are met.
Royal College of Nursing (2008) Lost in transition: moving young people between child and adult health services (PDF 125.7KB)
This document presents, with reference to other publications on this topic, the principles of good practice in arranging transitions of children with disabilities, chronic diseases or significant mental health problems from child to adult services. Five key activities are highlighted as essential to this good practice.
Royal College of Nursing (2006) Specialist nursing services for children and young people with diabetes (PDF 1.4MB)
Specialist training in both children's nursing and in paediatric diabetes care is available, and should be mandatory for nurses working with children who have diabetes. This document sets out the role and qualifications of nurses who specialise in paediatric diabetes care and makes recommendations about educational preparation.
Royal College of Nursing (2004) Adolescent transition care: guidance for nursing staff (1.9MB)
Ensuring a seamless transfer is one of the greatest challenges facing both children's and adult services. This guide should help practitioners achieve a seamless transfer using a national clinical pathway framework.
Systematic reviews and evidence summaries
Department of Health (2006) Growing up ready for emerging adulthood: an evidence base for professionals involved in transitional care for young people with chronic illness and/or disabilities.
A summary of key evidence encompassing transition based on a conference to support the development of transitional care.
Health Technology Assessment (2001) Effects of educational and psychosocial interventions for adolescents with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
This review examines the effectiveness of educational and psychosocial interventions for adolescents with type 1 diabetes designed to improve their diabetes management.
Other resources
Children with Diabetes: the online community for kids, families and adults with diabetes
An American organisation, aims to promote understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes and to support families.
Diabetes UK: My Life
Stories, advice, cartoons and competitions specifically for young people with diabetes.
Guardian Life & Style First person series (2009) I have diabetes and an eating disorder
A teenager talks about how she is determined not to be beaten by her twin illnesses, "described by a doctor as one of the deadliest combinations he had ever seen".
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF is a leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health: National Diabetes Survey – Growing up with diabetes
This project was commissioned by NHS Diabetes and its aim was to find out the number of children and young people under the age of 18 who have diabetes in England. The project report Growing up with diabetes: children and young people with diabetes in England was published in 2009 and is available to download from this page.
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE): Research briefing 04: Transition of young people with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses from children's to adult's services
The aim is for young people with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses to receive effective, seamless transition services. This briefing outlines relevant social care research and its implications and points to useful contacts and examples of innovative practice.
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