Intimate Care and Toileting policy

12. Intimate Care Policy/ Toileting Policy

Intimate care routines are essential throughout the day to ensure children's basic needs are met. This may include nappy changing, supporting children with toileting, changing clothes where required, first aid treatment and specialist medical support.

In order to maintain the child's privacy, the majority of these actions will take place on a one-to-one basis but within sight and hearing of another staff member. Wherever possible will be supported by the child's keyworker, with the exception of the first aid treatment that will be conducted by a qualified first aider.

We wish to ensure the safety and welfare of the children involved in intimate care routines and safeguard against any potential harm as well as ensuring the staff member involved is fully supported and able to perform their duties safely and confidently.

Nappy Changing

• Nappies will be changed at lunchtime unless the child has soiled the nappy or is uncomfortable.
• Children will be changed standing up, if this is not possible children will be changed lying on the floor on a suitable changing mat.
• Staff will wear aprons and gloves when changing nappies.
• If nappy cream needs to be applied, this will provided by the parents and applied with gloves.

Toileting

When a child begins potty/toilet training, please speak to your child’s key person to ensure consistency between home and preschool.

• We will familiarise the child with the toilet, washing their hands, flushing the toilet.
• Encourage the child to use the toilet at regular times.
• Ensure that the child is able to reach the toilet and is comfortable doing so.
• Stay with the child and talk to them to make them more relaxed about using the toilet.
• Don’t force the child to use the toilet if they don’t want to, but still encourage them to do so using positive language and praise.
• Deal with any accidents discreetly, sensitively and without any unnecessary attention.
• Be patient with children when they are using the toilet and use positive language and praise to encourage them.

Parents/carers will be informed the same day if their child has needed help with meeting intimate care needs (e.g. has had an ‘accident’ and soiled him/herself). Usually on Tapestry.

Safeguarding

• A child will only ever be changed or cleaned by an employed member of staff.

• All staff employed in the school have an Enhanced DBS.

• Staff who provide intimate care have all received Safeguarding training.

If a member of staff has any concerns about physical changes in a child’s presentation (unexplained marks, bruises or soreness for example) he/she will immediately report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.