Intimate Care Policy

Intimate Care

Policy and Procedure in Relation to Intimate Physical Care of Pupils

This Intimate Care Policy was developed by the staff of Cara Junior School to ensure each pupil can access appropriate physical assistance in order to participate fully in school life and develop independence in intimate care needs.

Aims of the Policy

• The dignity and welfare of pupils and staff are respected and maintained.
• The rights of pupils and staff are protected.
• Best practice is promoted throughout the school in the area of intimate care.
• Pupils are supported to develop independence where possible.

Definition of Intimate Care

Intimate care is the support provided by staff to pupils while involved in personal care routines such as dressing, undressing, toileting and showering.

Where necessary, such support may involve varying levels of supervision and assistance, and may involve physical contact with a pupil when they are partially or fully undressed.

Guidelines Covered by the Policy

Staff Guidelines

• Intimate care assistance should take place in designated areas, such as toilet areas attached to classrooms or appropriate toilet facilities during outings.
• Staff should ensure supplies of toiletries, towels and fresh clothes are available so the pupil is not left unattended while items are located.
• Staff should be discreet in the use of intimate care items and should not make them visible outside designated areas.
• Staff should follow best practice for infection control and use protective clothing and gloves where appropriate.
• Where possible, male staff will attend to male pupils and female staff will attend to female pupils requiring assistance.
• Staffing levels for intimate care assistance should be organised in line with the individual needs of pupils in each classroom.
• Individual goals for personal care and toileting skills may be developed as part of the student support planning process.
• If a pupil requires physical assistance outside school facilities, they should be accompanied to toilet areas by appropriate staff.

Privacy and Dignity

To protect a child’s privacy and dignity, one staff member may deliver intimate care assistance in toilet areas, while another staff member remains available nearby if additional assistance is required.

Staff should preserve the dignity of the pupil at all times and should communicate clearly, calmly and appropriately during care routines.

Pupil Welfare

• Every pupil should be treated with dignity and have their privacy respected.
• Discreet observation may be used to check if a pupil needs changing.
• Physical contact during intimate care should be minimal and supportive.
• Before assisting, staff should explain what is happening in a straightforward and reassuring way, where appropriate.
• Pupils should be involved as much as possible in their own intimate care programme.
• Staff should be sensitive to pupils’ verbal and non-verbal reactions.

Outings and Off-Site Activities

Staff should check in advance whether suitable facilities exist for intimate care procedures while pupils are on outings.

Reporting

If during intimate care assistance a concern arises, staff members involved should report the incident immediately to the class teacher or Principal. Parents will be contacted and an incident form completed where appropriate.

Reporting may be required where:

• The pupil is hurt in any way.
• The pupil appears to staff to be sore, tender or bruised.
• The pupil appears to misinterpret what is being said or done.
• The pupil has an emotional reaction without an apparent cause.

Children First, National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children should be followed at all times.

Parents

Parental concerns and suggestions regarding the intimate care needs of their child will be addressed on enrolment, at the beginning of each school year, at student support meetings and/or parent-teacher meetings as appropriate.

Regular communication with parents may be made by email, telephone or face to face where required.

Implementation and Review

All parents will receive a copy of this policy on enrolment. New staff will receive a copy as part of their induction into the school.

This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 03/02/2012. It was reviewed and ratified on 17/02/2022. The next review is noted for the school year 2025/26.