Policy: Intimate Care

Policy details

• Date reviewed - 02/09/2024
• Next review date - 01/07/2025
• Policy owner - A Clarke

Introduction

This Policy exists to:

• Safeguard the rights and promote the best interests of children.
• Ensure children are treated with sensitivity and respect, making their experience of intimate care a positive one.
• Safeguard adults required to operate in sensitive situations.
• Provide a clear procedure for intimate care.
• Inform parents/carers about how intimate care is administered.
• Ensure parents/carers are consulted regarding the intimate care of their children.

Principles

The Governing Body will act in accordance with Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2024) to safeguard and promote the welfare of students at this academy.

Co-op Academy Belle Vue takes its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in its care seriously. Meeting a student’s intimate care needs is a key aspect of safeguarding.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the academy’s:

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and procedures
• Staff Code of Conduct
• Health and Safety Policy and procedures
• Administration of Medication Policy
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy

The academy’s practice aligns with the Disability Discrimination Act, ensuring that children with impairments affecting their day-to-day activities are not discriminated against.

Definition

Intimate care involves washing, touching, or carrying out procedures related to personal areas, which most individuals perform independently. Examples include:

• Continence and menstrual management.
• Washing, toileting, or dressing assistance.
• Supervision of intimate self-care.

Best Practice

• Health Care Plans: Children requiring regular assistance will have Individual Health Care Plans (IHPs), created in collaboration with parents/carers, staff, and other professionals. These will include risk assessments addressing manual handling, personal safety, and safeguarding concerns, reviewed at least annually.
• Parental Communication: Parents/carers will be informed the same day if their child receives intimate care (e.g., due to a toileting accident). Communication will be discreet and sensitive.
• Staff Training: Staff providing intimate care will:

• Receive safeguarding training, including updates from KCSIE 2024.
• Be trained in personal care, health and safety, manual handling, and infection control.
• Be familiar with the academy’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

• Student Involvement: Staff will:

• Address the student by name and explain actions before starting any procedure.
• Encourage autonomy and independence wherever possible.
• Respect privacy and dignity.

Child Protection

The academy recognises that children with special needs and disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse. All staff must:

• Follow safeguarding procedures outlined in KCSIE 2024.
• Report any concerns about a child’s welfare to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or deputy.
• Be vigilant and promote best practices to minimise risks associated with intimate care.

Supporting Dressing/Undressing

• Staff will encourage children to dress/undress independently.
• Assistance will be provided only when necessary, ensuring dignity and privacy.

Providing Comfort and Support

• Physical comfort will be child-initiated and age-appropriate.
• Staff will minimise physical contact and ensure their hands remain visible.
• Inappropriate physical contact initiated by a child will be managed sensitively but firmly, with parents/carers informed if concerns persist.

Medical Procedures

• Invasive and non-invasive medical procedures (e.g., catheter or colostomy bag management) will be conducted by trained staff and documented in the IHP.
• First aiders will conduct examinations in emergencies, respecting the child’s privacy.

Staff Recruitment and Monitoring

• Only academy employees with enhanced DBS checks will provide intimate care.
• Volunteers or students will not provide intimate care.
• Staff roles involving intimate care will be explicitly defined in job descriptions.

Confidentiality

• Intimate care details will be shared only with those who need to know, adhering to the academy’s confidentiality policy.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

• Families’ cultural and religious values will be respected when determining care practices or the gender of the carer.

Monitoring and Review

• The Principal and Community Council will ensure compliance with this policy.
• The policy will be reviewed annually or in response to updates in safeguarding guidance.