Intimate Care Policy
Intimate Care Policy
Policy details
Date created - 17 October 2022
Date reviewed - 17 October 2022
Date approved - 4 November 2022
Next review date - Autumn Term 2025
Policy owner - SENDCO (Judith Baldwin)
Legislation and statutory guidance
Creating an intimate care plan
Which staff will be responsible
Appendix 1: Intimate Care Plan Template
Appendix 2: Parent & Carer Consent Form Template
Aims
This policy aims to ensure that:
- Intimate care is carried out properly by staff, in line with any agreed plans
- The dignity, rights and wellbeing of children are safeguarded
- Pupils with intimate care difficulties are not discriminated against, in line with the Equalities Act 2010
- Parents are assured that staff are knowledgeable about intimate care and that the needs of their children are taken into account
- Staff carrying out intimate care work do so within guidelines (i.e. health and safety, manual handling, safeguarding protocols awareness) that protect themselves and the pupils involved
Intimate care refers to any care which involves toileting, washing, changing, touching or carrying out an invasive procedure to children’s intimate personal areas.
Legislation and statutory guidance
This policy complies with statutory safeguarding guidance.
It also complies with our funding agreement and articles of association.
Role of parents and carers
Seeking parental permission
Where there isn’t an intimate care plan or parental consent for routine care in place, parental permission will be sought before performing any intimate care procedure.
If the school is unable to get in touch with parents and an intimate care procedure urgently needs to be carried out, the procedure will be carried out to ensure the child is comfortable, and the school will inform parents afterwards.
Creating an intimate care plan
Where an intimate care plan is required, it will be agreed in discussion between the school, parents, the child (when possible) and any relevant health professionals.
The school will work with parents and take their preferences on board to make the process of intimate care as comfortable as possible, dealing with needs sensitively and appropriately.
Subject to their age and understanding, the preferences of the child will also be taken into account. If there’s doubt whether the child is able to make an informed choice, their parents will be consulted.
The plan will be reviewed twice a year, even if no changes are necessary, and updated regularly, as well as whenever there are changes to a pupil’s needs.
See appendix 1 for a blank template plan to see what this will cover.
Sharing information
The school will share information with parents as needed to ensure a consistent approach. It will expect parents to also share relevant information regarding any intimate matters as needed.
Role of staff
Which staff will be responsible
Any roles who may carry out intimate care will have this set out in their job description. This includes specified Teaching Assistants.
No other staff members can be required to provide intimate care.
All staff at the school who carry out intimate care will have been subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a barred list check before appointment, as well as other checks on their employment history.
How staff will be trained
Staff will receive:
- Training in the specific types of intimate care they undertake
- Regular safeguarding training
- If necessary, manual handling training that enables them to remain safe and for the pupil to have as much participation as is possible
They will be familiar with:
- The control measures set out in risk assessments carried out by the school
- Hygiene and health and safety procedures, including those related to COVID-19
- They will also be encouraged to seek further advice as needed.
Intimate care procedures
How procedures will happen
When procedures take place the nominated and trained member of staff will escort the student to designated toilet/cleaning facilities and support as necessary. This may include assisting the student in accessing the toilet and potentially assisting in cleaning themselves if they have soiled themselves.
Procedures will be carried out in the designated shower/toilet area on the 2nd floor.
Procedures will be carried out in a COVID-safe way according to the school’s risk assessment and COVID-19 protocol.
When carrying out procedures, the school will provide staff with:
- protective gloves, cleaning supplies, changing mats and bins.
- Any soiled clothing will be contained securely, clearly labelled, and discreetly returned to parents at the end of the as soon as possible or at the end of the day.
Concerns about safeguarding
If a member of staff carrying out intimate care has concerns about physical changes in a child’s appearance (e.g. marks, bruises, soreness), they will report this using the school’s safeguarding procedures.
If a child is hurt accidentally or there is an issue when carrying out the procedure, the staff member will report the incident immediately to SENCo and DSL
If a child makes an allegation against a member of staff, the responsibility for intimate care of that child will be given to another member of staff as quickly as possible and the allegation will be investigated according to the school’s safeguarding procedures.
Monitoring arrangements
This policy will be reviewed by the SENCO, at least every three years.
Links with other policies
This policy links to the following policies and procedures:
- Accessibility plan
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Health and safety
- SEN
- Supporting pupils with medical conditions
Appendix 1:
Intimate Care Plan Template
PARENTS/CARERS | |
Name of child | |
Type of intimate care needed | |
How often care will be given | |
What training staff will be given | |
Where care will take place | |
What resources and equipment will be used, and who will provide them | |
How procedures will differ if taking place on a trip or outing | |
Name of senior member of staff responsible for ensuring care is carried out according to the intimate care plan | |
Name of parent or carer | |
Relationship to child | |
Signature of parent or carer | |
Date | |
CHILD | |
How many members of staff would you like to help? | |
Do you mind having a chat when you are being changed or washed? | |
Signature of child | |
Date | |
This plan will be reviewed twice a year. Next review date:____________To be reviewed by:______
Appendix 2:
Parent & Carer Consent Form Template
PERMISSION FOR SCHOOL TO PROVIDE INTIMATE CARE | ||
Name of child | ||
Date of birth | ||
Name of parent/carer | ||
Address | ||
I give permission for the school to provide appropriate intimate care to my child (e.g. changing soiled clothing, washing and toileting) | □ | |
I will advise the school of anything that may affect my child’s personal care (e.g. if medication changes or if my child has an infection) | □ | |
I understand the procedures that will be carried out and will contact the school immediately if I have any concerns | □ | |
I do not give consent for my child to be given intimate care (e.g. to be washed and changed if they have a toileting accident). Instead, the school will contact me or my emergency contact and I will organise for my child to be given intimate care (e.g. be washed and changed). I understand that if the school cannot reach me or my emergency contact if my child needs urgent intimate care, staff will need to provide this for my child, following the school’s intimate care policy, to make them comfortable and remove barriers to learning. | □ | |
Parent/carer signature | ||
Name of parent/carer | ||
Relationship to child | ||
Date | ||
Approved by: Date:
Last reviewed on:
Next review due by: