Management of diabetes in children and young people is provided by secondary health care using a multidisciplinary approach. The introduction of the best practice diabetes tariff aims to standardize diabetes care nationally to ensure all service provision is equitable. The objective is to equip the individual and their family with the essential practical skills required and the underlying knowledge needed to understand and make informed decisions regarding their diabetes management. Health education includes developing the motivation to succeed, through a programme of structured education addressing self-care, crisis management and lifestyle. Delivery must accommodate cognitive abilities and preferred learning styles. Challenges are encountered, families are asked to question their existing health beliefs and accomplish behavioural changes that are difficult to implement consistently. Specific stages of childhood development present their own management issues. Glycaemic control is determined by the HbA1c. The target is less than 58 mmol/L (7.5%), achieved without frequent or disabling hypoglycaemia. This level reduces the risk of developing the associated complications. Testing for concurrent medical conditions and screening for the associated complications resulting from micro and macrovascular disease occurs as part of the annual review. Blood glucose testing identifies blood glucose levels and these are recorded in a diary and reviewed regularly by the paediatric diabetes specialist nursing team.