Intimate Care and Nappy Changing Policy

Introduction

Intimate care is any care which involves washing, touching or carrying out an invasive procedure to intimate personal areas that most children carry out for themselves but which some are unable to do due to the child’s stage of development, any needs arising from physical disability, special educational needs associated with learning difficulties, or medical needs.  Movilla Playgroup and Nursery is committed to ensuring that all staff responsible for the intimate care of children will always undertake their duties in a professional manner.  Movilla Playgroup and Nursery recognises that there is a need to treat all children with respect when intimate care is given.  No child should be attended to in a way that causes distress or pain.

Policy Statement

Children are required to have achieved full continence before commencing Playgroup and Nursery.  No child will be excluded from participating in our setting who may not yet be toilet trained due to a medical condition, and who may still be wearing nappies or equivalent.  All children are treated with respect and their right to privacy will be valued. Children’s dignity will be preserved, and a high level of privacy, choice and control will be provided to them.

Principles

• We recognise that delayed continence may be linked with delays in other aspects of the child’s development and therefore work out a planned programme, in partnership with the child’s parents/carers and if necessary, the child’s Health Visitor.
• Our staff are committed to ensuring that duties are always undertaken in a professional manner.
• Children will be supported to achieve the highest level of autonomy that is possible given their age and abilities. Staff will encourage each child to do as much for themselves as they can.
• Individual intimate care plans may be drawn up for children as appropriate to suit the circumstances of the child. These will be discussed with parents if required and once drawn up they will be signed by parents and staff.
• Only permanent staff who have been successfully processed through our recruitment, reference and Enhanced Disclosure process will be authorised to assist the children.