Standard for the Delivery of Intimate Care to Children
Rationale
All children are
entitled to consideration of dignity, privacy and individualised care when
requiring assistance with their personal hygiene and care needs.
Staff will
not be able to deliver any intimate care until; they have had a Criminal Record
Clearance, two references and a full induction. (Once the information has been
collected, senior members of staff will observe new staff to ensure they will
follow good hygiene procedures and protocol.)
Members
of staff involved in the delivery of intimate care must be mindful of the
individual’s particular needs and capabilities. They should also ensure that
care is delivered in a safe and sensitive manner. Thought should also be given
to restrict the numbers of intimate members of staff involved in meeting any
one child’s needs.
This
policy has been designed to protect both staff and children whenever intimate
care is performed.
Intimate care involves any physical care or treatment that is an invasion
of bodily privacy and which may be a potential source of exposure or
embarrassment to the individual child.
1.
Whenever possible,
children should be encouraged to perform their own intimate care, and given the
necessary support and encouragement to enable them to do this.
2.
On admission to
nursery, written consent for a member of staff to deliver intimate care should
be obtained from the parent.
3.
Any special
requirements or concerns relating to intimate care should be identified and
documented.
4.
The member of staff
should respond as soon as possible to meet the individual’s personal needs e.g.
hygiene, toileting.
5.
The care to be
delivered should be explained to the child according to their age and level of
understanding, and where possible their permission sought.
6.
The intimate care
required should be delivered by an appropriately trained member of staff, and
in some circumstances with regard to the gender, to ensure that the individual
needs of the child are met.
7.
The member of staff
should select an appropriate environment to deliver the intimate care to ensure
privacy and dignity at all times.
8.
During any procedure,
which requires a child to remove their clothing, they are entitled to privacy
and choice with regard to the people present during this procedure.
9.
Intimate care should
always be undertaken with tact, sensitivity and in an unhurried manner.
10.
The member of staff
should document any adverse or unusual reactions exhibited by the child during
the delivery of intimate care. These
concerns should be noted and shared, and the delivery of further intimate care
monitored and reassessed, and further action taken if indicated.
11.
During the delivery of
intimate care, should the member of staff have cause for concern regarding possible
child abuse, the nursery child protection procedures must be followed in all
cases.
12.
If children are
engaged in an activity e.g. messy play, water or similar activities, staff must
ensure that the child is appropriately dresses to respect their individual
dignity and privacy.
© 2010