Intimate Care Policy
Rocketeers defines Intimate Care as any care which involves washing, touching or carrying out an agreed
procedure to intimate personal areas in order to care for another person This care may include procedures that most children and young people learn to carry out for themselves, but which some are unable to do because of their age, physical difficulties, special needs or ill health. Examples include continence and menstrual management as well as washing, toileting or dressing.
Intimate care tasks are associated with bodily functions, body products and personal hygiene that demands direct or indirect contact with, or exposure of the genitals. It also includes supervision of children and young people involved in intimate self-care. Toilet Training, and routine support with personal hygiene within our settings must be recognised as intimate care.
All children must be supported and encouraged to achieve the highest level of autonomy that is possible, given their age and ability. All Staff must be DBS checked and regularly trained regarding child protection and health and safety, (which may include manual handling), to ensure that they are fully aware of infection control, including the need to wear disposable aprons and gloves as required.
Whilst every child’s right to privacy must be respected, Rocketeers is based within school settings and as such only have available to them the changing facilities that are already in place within the school. Therefore, whilst we will take every opportunity to support children and families with regards to toileting needs, we reserve the right to meet with parents if we feel the support we are able to provide doesn’t match the support needed. All cases are reviewed individually depending on need and support.
Parents will be asked to provide all necessary consumables which could include: nappies, baby wipes, nappy sacks, and plastic bags for soiled clothing. Changes of clothing should be made available by parents/carers.
Where plans are agreed the following must be considered:
Plans for toileting and changing children
- These should be planned and agreed in co-operation with the parents/carers.
- There should be a written plan, including timing of toilet visits (eg, after snack, lunchtimes and the end of the school day. lunch times), and who will be responsible for this in the setting (named key person and another adult well known to the child). Always consider the type of support required relevant to the child’s level of independence.
- There should be liaison with parents/carers to ensure continuity with routines at home (Does boy stand or sit? do you use a potty or insert seat? Does your child need help with their clothing?).
- If parents are using ‘pull ups’ or pads there should be discussion with parents about the phasing out of these, without causing the child confusion. Many children use pull ups in the same way as a nappy and they can prolong toilet training as a child does not feel that they are wet. They also mean that any accidents do not have to be dealt with straight away, so a child can become confused, especially if they are swapping between pull ups at nursery and pants at home. For individual children, pull ups may still be agreed as the most appropriate option.
- When a child has a specific medical or developmental condition, which could impact on toileting management, then advice from the Paediatrician should be sought either by the parent/carer or with permission, the designated adult e.g. teacher or SENCO. Children receiving chemotherapy – it is advisable to contact the child’s Oncology Nurse for specific guidance. Contact details should be available from the parent/carer.
- To maintain the young person’s dignity, appropriate facilities should be available e.g. adult visitors or disabled toilet, rather than pupil toilet. This should be clean, warm and safe and have a lockable cupboard for equipment.
- Parents/carers and the child should be reassured that if the child has an accident, it is not a problem and children will not be made to feel that it is an issue.
Best Practice
- Every child’s right to privacy will be respected. Careful consideration will be given as to how many staff might need to be present when a pupil needs help with intimate care.
- Cameras and mobile phones should never be taken into bathroom areas by staff or children.
Hygiene management
All staff should follow good hygiene practices, which should include:
- Disposable gloves should be worn.
- Disposable plastic apron should be worn
- · Systems should be in place to deal with spillages appropriately and safely. Spillages must be cleaned according to local policy. Hot water and soap OR antibacterial spray or wipes are appropriate.
- · Soiled disposable nappy to be placed in plastic nappy bag and disposed of according to local arrangements. Reusable nappy to be placed in double plastic nappy bag and returned to parent.
- · Soiled clothing to be placed in double plastic bags and returned to parent/carer where facilities for sluicing are not available.
- · Correct hand washing techniques should be followed.
- a) For adults, use hot water and soap. Dry hands with disposable paper towels. Antibacterial gel can then also be used.
- b) For child, hand washing to be done by, or supervised by adult.
Policy Adopted: 01/09/2022
Policy Review: 01/09/2024
By: Tanya Parker, Rocketeers Childcare
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Complaints [3.74-3.75].
