HOWARD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Intimate Care Policy
In line with Child Protection Procedures we would bring to your attention the Intimate Care Policy operating in this school.
DEFINITION
Intimate care may be defined as any activity required to meet the personal care needs of each individual child. Parents have a responsibility to advise staff of the intimate care needs of their child, and staff have a responsibility to work in partnership with children and parents.
Intimate care can include:
PRINCIPLES OF INTIMATE CARE
The following are the fundamental principles upon which the
Policy and Guidelines are based:
An individual Care Plan will be agreed where a child has a disability or medical condition resulting in the child having ongoing intimate care needs)
An individual care plan will identify individual staff that must be trained in the specific types of intimate care.
Staff also need to be aware that some adults may use intimate care, as an opportunity to abuse children. It is important to bear in mind that some care tasks can be open to misinterpretation. Adhering to these guidelines of good practice should safeguard children and staff.
If a staff member has concerns about a colleague’s intimate care practice they must report this to their designated teacher. All children have the right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. These guidelines are designed to safeguard children and staff. They apply to every member of staff involved with the intimate care of children. Disabled children can be especially vulnerable. Staff involved with their intimate care need to be sensitive to their individual needs.
Occasionally there is a need for teachers, classroom assistants, general assistants, or supervisors to change children following a toileting accident, illness, or when uniform has become soiled at play time.
GENERAL PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY STAFF UNDERTAKING THE INTIMATE CARE OF A CHILD
Staff will have obtained permission from parents to change children (see reply slip below)
We would not wish any child to be in discomfort or distress due to a soiling accident, therefore parents/guardians who do not wish to give permission for staff in school to change children will be contacted, to attend to their child personally, should such an incident occur.
Howard Primary School Intimate Care Policy
(Please return to class teacher ASAP)
I/We have read the above policy and
Give permission for a member of staff to change my/our child, as outlined in the above measures.
Do not give permission for a member of staff to change my/our child, as outlined. I understand I may be contacted if my child requires changing during school hours.
Signed: ________________________ Date ________________
Print Name _________________________________________
Parent(s)/ Guardian – delete as appropriate