Intimate Care

Intimate Care Policy

Introduction

Intimate Care is any caring procedure which involves helping a pupil to use the toilet, changing nappies or underwear or any procedure carried out while the pupil is in a state of whole or partial undress. 

This policy and related procedures have been developed bearing in mind that all physical contact between staff and pupils: 

● Should be aimed at meeting the needs of pupils 

● Should respect the dignity of each pupil 

● Should be consistent with professional integrity of staff members 

Policy rationale

The aim of the policy is to increase knowledge, enhance skills and promote good practice in this sensitive area. All staff will be made aware of the standards expected of them.

Intimate care will be carried out only by regular school employees. 

Relationship to the School Ethos 

All students and staff members have the right to feel safe and be treated

with dignity and respect.

Aims and Objectives 

The aims of this policy are: 

● To ensure that the dignity and privacy of the pupil involved is paramount 

● To develop a framework of procedures whereby intimate care requirements are dealt with in an appropriate manner

Staffing Procedures 

Toileting ‘Accidents’ 

As teachers we act ‘in loco parentis’ and can deal generally with a toileting accident without direct assistance. It is good practice to only provide help that is required or reasonably requested by the student. The teacher should encourage the pupil to do as much for themselves as possible. A teacher must always be cognisant of his/her duty of care regarding effective supervision of all the students in the class when assisting a pupil with toileting. 

The following procedure will apply in cases of 

• Wetting 

• Soiling/toileting accidents 

• Vomiting on clothes 

At all times we will maintain the privacy and dignity of the child. 

The teacher/SNA will provide the child with a change of underwear, and encourage the child to change him/herself. If necessary, the school will provide a complete change of clothes. The teacher/SNA will assist the child with dressing only if absolutely necessary. The teacher/SNA will do

all that is necessary to make the child comfortable, and the parents will be contacted.

Wet/soiled clothes will be put in a plastic bag and parents will be informed of what has happened by phone call or when they collect their child. Parents are asked to return the clothes given to their child, washed and folded. 

Changes of clothes and underwear are kept in the storage unit beside the downstairs staff toilet close to the office. Extra spare clothes are also kept upstairs in the storage unit. 

Staff are required to wear protective gloves while changing a child.

Children with Specific Toileting/Intimate Care Needs: 

It may be the case that a pupil will have an ongoing need for assistance with toileting/intimate care. At the enrolment intake meeting parents will be encouraged to inform the school of such needs. In all such situations a meeting will be convened, after enrolment and either before or shortly after the child starts school. Parents/Guardians, Principal, Class Teacher, SNA, and if appropriate, the pupil, will attend. The specific care needs of the child, and how the school will meet them, will be clarified and an application for SNA access will be completed if not already done so. 

The personnel involved will be identified and provision for occasions when staff members may be absent will be outlined (e.g. Substitute SNAs will not generally be involved in intimate care, unless sanctioned by the principal). Any change of personnel or procedures will be discussed with the pupil, if appropriate. 

Two members of staff will be present when dealing with intimate care needs. (One staff member must be in view of the other) Staff will wear protective gloves (If deemed necessary by staff, children may require this also) .

As far as possible the pupil will be involved in identification of his/her personal requirements, wishes, changes etc., and at all times the dignity and privacy of the pupil will be paramount in addressing

intimate care needs.

A written copy of the agreement will be kept on the pupil’s file and parents will be notified of any changes from agreed procedures. 

Parent Responsibilities 

Parents/Guardians need to identify any toileting needs. They should supply the school with the resources required to carry out the toileting or other care needs, which may include, but not be limited to: 

Nappies 

Wipes 

Nappy Sacks 

Spare underwear 

Spare Clothes

Intimate Care/Toileting Plan 

In the event that a specific toileting need has been identified for a pupil, an intimate Care/Toileting Plan will be developed in partnership with the pupil’s class teacher, designated SNA and the pupil’s parents/guardians. This can form part of the SSP(Student Support Plan).

The Care Plan must include: 

● Specific Care Need 

● Identification of the staff members involved 

● Additional equipment required 

● Child’s preferred means of communication; to include agreed terminology for body parts and bodily functions. 

● Signature of Class Teacher, SNA , Parent and Principal 

● Date of Care Plan

Success Criteria 

The school evaluates the success of the policy through: 

1. Participation of all staff in the policy 

2. Safe and effective care of all pupils in our school 

3. Feedback from all staff 

4. Feedback from relevant parents/guardians.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment, SNA policy, SEN policy and Admissions Policy.

Appendix 1 

Elements of Good Practice for Staff: 

While it is not possible to prescribe guidelines that will apply in all

situations, it is important that the elements of good practice be

followed: 

 In the case that a student has an Intimate Care Plan ensure you are completely familiar with the plan 

 Address the student by name and ensure he/she is aware of the focus of the activity 

 Verbalise your actions to the student in a reassuring way to prepare them for each procedure

 Use visual cues for pupils with limited communication, e.g. pointing at a wipe 

 Use appropriate and professional language

 Respect the dignity and privacy of the pupil at all times 

 Have all equipment and materials to hand before commencing

 Use discreet observation if checking to see if a nappy needs changing

 Use protective gloves provided

 Take all precautions when disposing of soiled material in the bin provided 

  Intimate care procedures will be carried out in a manner which treats the pupil in a dignified and respectful way and allows the student the maximum level of privacy

  The student’s independence will be encouraged

Appendix 2 

PERMISSION FOR SCHOOL TO PROVIDE INTIMATE CARE 

Child’s Last Name _________________________ 

Child’s First Name ________________________ 

Date of Birth _____________________________ 

I give permission to the school to provide appropriate intimate care

support to my child. 

I will advise the school of any medical complaint my child may have

which affects issues of intimate care. 

Name _____________________________ 

Signature _____________________________ 

Relationship to Child _____________________________ 

Date ____________________________