Download Ashmount Primary School Intimate Care Policy 2022 to 2025
We have a duty to safeguard children and school personnel at all times. We must develop independence in each child but on those occasions when children need assistance they must feel safe, have personal privacy, feel valued, are treated with dignity and respect, are involved and consulted about their own intimate care with school personnel that are specially trained in intimate care procedures.
We treat every child as an individual treating them gently and sensitively as possible.
Aims
- To safeguard the rights of children.
- To safeguard school personnel trained in intimate care procedures.
- To work with other schools to share good practice in order to improve this policy.
Procedure
Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body has:
- delegated powers and responsibilities to the Headteacher to ensure all school personnel and stakeholders are aware of and comply with this policy;
- responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;
- nominated a designated Equalities governor to ensure that appropriate action will be taken to deal with all prejudice related incidents or incidents which are a breach of this policy;
- responsibility for ensuring funding is in place to support this policy;
- responsibility for ensuring this policy and all policies are maintained and updated regularly;
- responsibility for ensuring all policies are made available to parents;
- nominated a link governor to visit the school regularly, to liaise with the Headteacher and to report back to the Governing Body;
- responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy
Role of the Headteacher
The Headteacher will:
- ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;
- ensure school personnel who provide intimate care are suitably trained to do so;
- ensure that new developments, resources and equipment are brought to the attention of the appropriate school personnel;
- monitor the effectiveness of this policy;
- annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy
Role of the Nominated Governor
The Nominated Governor will:
- work closely with the Headteacher;
- ensure this policy and other linked policies are up to date;
- ensure that everyone connected with the school is aware of this policy;
- report to the Governing Body every term;
- annually report to the Governing Body on the success and development of this policy
Role of School Personnel with Responsibilities for Intimate Care
School personnel will:
- receive training;
- be professional in their duties at all times;
- be respectful of a child’s needs;
- preserve a child’s dignity and respect with a high level of privacy, choice and control appropriate to the child’s age and situation;
- be aware of a child’s method and level of communication;
- make sure practice in intimate care is consistent;
- be aware of their own limitations;
- promote positive self-esteem and body image;
- work in partnership with parents/carers;
- report any concerns they have about a child;
- report any concerns they have about a colleague’s intimate care practice;
- be aware of the danger of allegations being made against them;
- take precautions to avoid risk
Nappy Changing in School
Nappy changing procedures include:
- Nappy changing resources readily supplied.
- Spare clothes in place.
- A new set of gloves and apron to be worn for every nappy change.
- Child to be placed on a mat during a nappy change.
- Soiled nappies to be placed in a nappy sack for disposal.
- Any soiled clothes to be sent home in a separate bag.
- All cleaning wipes to be placed in a nappy sack.
- Nappy sack to be securely tied and placed in the appropriate bin for disposal.
- Before dressing the child dispose of all personal protective equipment used in the appropriate bin.
- Hands to be washed before dressing child.
- Return child to the classroom/play room.
- Then thoroughly clean the nappy changing area using anti-bacterial spray and disposable paper towels.
Role of Parents/Carers
Parents/carers will:
- be aware of and comply with this policy
- advise the school of any known intimate care needs relating to their child;
- be involved with their child’s intimate care arrangements on a regular basis;
- support the school Code of Conduct and guidance necessary to ensure smooth running of the schoo
Rights of the Child
All children have the right to be treated:
- with sensitivity and respect in such a way that their experience of intimate care is a positive one;
- by professionals suitably trained and assessed to be competent to undertake procedures in intimate care
Raising Awareness of this Policy
We will raise awareness of this policy via:
- the school website
- meetings with parents such as introductory, transition, parent-teacher consultations
- school events
- meetings with school personnel
- communications with home such as newsletters
- reports such as annual report to parents and Headteacher reports to the Governing Body
Training
We ensure all school personnel have equal chances of training, career development and promotion.
Periodic training will be organised for all school personnel so that they are kept up to date with new information and guide lines concerning equal opportunities.
Equality Impact Assessment
Under the Equality Act 2010 we have a duty not to discriminate against people on the basis of their age, disability, gender, gender identity, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
We believe that this policy is in line with the Equality Act 2010 as it is fair, it does not prioritise or disadvantage any pupil and it helps to promote equality at this school.
Monitoring the Effectiveness of the Policy
The practical application of this policy will be reviewed annually or when the need arises by the Headteacher and the nominated governor.
A statement of the policy’s effectiveness and the necessary recommendations for improvement will be presented to the Governing Body for further discussion and endorsement.
