Personal Care and Intimate Care

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all personal care and intimate care provided by Beyond Words CIC is delivered safely, respectfully and in a manner that protects the dignity, privacy, wellbeing and rights of every child attending the Summer Club.

Beyond Words recognises that some children attending our Summer Club, particularly autistic children and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), may require support with personal care as part of their daily routine or individual needs.

we working in partnership with parents, carers and relevant professionals to ensure personal care is provided consistently, sensitively and in accordance with each child's individual needs.

This policy has been developed in accordance with relevant legislation and recognised guidance, including but not limited to:

• ✦Children Act 1989
• ✦Children Act 2004
• ✦Equality Act 2010
• ✦Human Rights Act 1998
• ✦Working Together to Safeguard Children (2025)
• ✦SEND Code of Practice (2015)
• ✦Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• ✦UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• ✦Data Protection Act 2018
• ✦Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Beyond Words will review this policy regularly to ensure it reflects current legislation, guidance and best practice.

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, students, contractors and any other adults working on behalf of Beyond Words CIC.

It covers support with:

• ✦toileting
• ✦changing nappies or continence products
• ✦changing clothes following accidents
• ✦washing and drying
• ✦hand hygiene
• ✦supporting dressing and undressing where appropriate
• ✦any other personal care required to meet a child's individual needs

This policy should be read alongside the organisation's:

• ✦Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
• ✦Health & Safety Policy
• ✦Medication & First Aid Policy
• ✦Risk Assessment Policy
• ✦Positive Relationships, Behaviour, Regulation & Support Policy
• ✦Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

Beyond Words is committed to ensuring that personal care is provided in a way that:

• ✦protects children's dignity and privacy
• ✦promotes independence wherever possible
• ✦respects individual preferences and cultural needs
• ✦supports children's health, comfort and wellbeing
• ✦safeguards both children and employees
• ✦maintains clear communication with parents and carers
• ✦follows safe hygiene practices
• ✦provides a consistent and person-centred approach

Personal care will always be carried out with compassion, patience and respect.

• ✦Founder & Director The Founder & Director is responsible for ensuring that:

• ✦appropriate personal care arrangements are in place
• ✦employees receive appropriate guidance and training
• ✦suitable facilities and equipment are available
• ✦individual care needs are identified
• ✦records are maintained where appropriate
• ✦parents and carers are consulted regarding personal care arrangements
• ✦this policy is reviewed regularly
• ✦ensuring appropriate personal care risk assessments are completed where required
• ✦ensuring appropriate supplies (PPE, gloves, aprons, wipes etc.) are available

• ✦Employees Employees are responsible for:

• ✦following this policy and related procedures
• ✦respecting each child's dignity and privacy
• ✦encouraging independence wherever possible
• ✦following agreed personal care routines
• ✦maintaining appropriate hygiene standards
• ✦reporting any safeguarding concerns immediately

• ✦recording personal care where required
• ✦communicating any concerns to the Founder & Director

Employees must always maintain professional boundaries while providing personal care.

Care

• ✦Promoting Dignity and Respect Beyond Words is committed to ensuring that all personal and intimate care is provided in a way that promotes each child's dignity, privacy, comfort and self-esteem

Employees will:

• ✦treat every child with kindness, patience and respect
• ✦explain what they are doing using communication appropriate to the child's level of understanding
• ✦provide reassurance throughout personal care
• ✦respect the child's privacy as far as reasonably practicable
• ✦avoid unnecessary exposure of the child's body
• ✦encourage the child to express preferences and make choices wherever possible

Children will never be made to feel embarrassed, rushed or criticised whilst receiving personal care.

• ✦Promoting Independence Beyond Words believes that personal care provides valuable opportunities to develop independence and life skills

Employees will encourage children to do as much as they can for themselves by:

• ✦allowing sufficient time for children to complete tasks independently
• ✦providing verbal encouragement
• ✦using visual supports where appropriate
• ✦breaking tasks into manageable steps
• ✦offering prompts before providing physical assistance
• ✦celebrating children's achievements and progress

Support will always be provided at the level required by the individual child, with the aim of gradually increasing independence where appropriate.

• ✦Individualised Care Every child is unique, and personal care will be adapted to meet their individual needs

Employees will take account of:

• ✦the child's age and stage of development
• ✦communication needs
• ✦sensory preferences
• ✦medical conditions
• ✦cultural and religious considerations
• ✦family preferences where appropriate
• ✦individual care plans and risk assessments

Personal care routines will be delivered consistently while remaining flexible to meet changing needs.

• ✦Consent and Communication Employees will always communicate with children in a respectful and reassuring manner before providing personal or intimate care

Where possible, employees will:

• ✦explain what support is needed
• ✦seek the child's agreement using their preferred method of communication
• ✦give the child time to process information
• ✦respect the child's feelings and respond calmly if they become anxious or distressed

For children who are unable to give verbal consent, employees will observe the child's communication, behaviour and responses, while acting in their best interests and in accordance with agreed care arrangements.

Where a child shows signs of distress or refuses support, employees will respond calmly, consider alternative approaches where appropriate and seek further assistance if necessary.

• ✦Professional Boundaries Personal and intimate care must always be provided professionally and respectfully

Employees will:

• ✦maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• ✦provide only the level of support required
• ✦avoid unnecessary physical contact
• ✦report any concerns immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
• ✦ensure their practice protects both the child and themselves

Personal and intimate care will always be carried out in a manner that safeguards the welfare, dignity and rights of the child.

Procedures

• ✦Supporting Personal Care Beyond Words will provide personal care in a respectful, safe and person-centred manner, ensuring that each child's individual needs are met whilst promoting dignity, comfort and independence

Employees will:

• ✦follow the child's agreed care arrangements
• ✦encourage the child to complete tasks independently wherever possible
• ✦provide reassurance throughout the process
• ✦communicate clearly using the child's preferred communication methods
• ✦respect the child's privacy at all times
• ✦provide support that is proportionate to the child's needs

• ✦Toileting Support Some children may require assistance with toileting during the Summer Club

Employees will:

• ✦respond promptly to children's toileting needs
• ✦encourage children to use the toilet independently where appropriate
• ✦provide support only where required
• ✦maintain the child's dignity and privacy
• ✦encourage handwashing after using the toilet

• ✦follow any agreed toileting plans where applicable

Children will never be pressured, embarrassed or criticised during toileting routines.

• ✦Nappy Changing and Continence Care Where a child requires nappy changing or support with continence products, this will be carried out respectfully and hygienically

Employees will:

• ✦prepare all necessary equipment before beginning
• ✦wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• ✦ensure the child is never left unattended during the procedure
• ✦clean and change the child using appropriate hygiene procedures
• ✦dispose of waste safely
• ✦wash hands thoroughly after completing personal care
• ✦change PPE between children

Appropriate records will be completed where required and any concerns regarding the child's health or wellbeing will be reported to the Founder & Director and shared with parents or carers where appropriate.

• ✦Changing Clothing If a child requires assistance to change clothing due to illness, toileting accidents, water play or other circumstances, employees will:

• ✦provide reassurance
• ✦support the child sensitively and respectfully
• ✦encourage independence wherever possible
• ✦ensure privacy is maintained
• ✦place soiled clothing into a suitable bag to be returned home
• ✦inform parents or carers where appropriate

Beyond Words encourages parents and carers to provide a spare change of clothing for their child.

• ✦Menstrual Care

Where appropriate, Beyond Words will support children who require assistance with menstrual care.

Support will be provided respectfully, sensitively and in accordance with the child's age, level of understanding and individual needs.

Employees will:

• ✦maintain the child's dignity and privacy
• ✦encourage independence where appropriate
• ✦use appropriate PPE
• ✦dispose of sanitary products safely
• ✦communicate any concerns with parents or carers where appropriate

• ✦Personal Belongings Children's personal care items, including spare clothing, continence products and toiletries, will be stored appropriately and used only for the individual child

Employees will ensure that personal belongings are treated respectfully and returned to parents or carers where appropriate.

• ✦Responding to Concerns During Personal Care If employees notice anything unusual during personal or intimate care, such as:

• ✦unexplained bruising or injuries
• ✦signs of pain or discomfort
• ✦changes in a child's physical wellbeing
• ✦concerns regarding hygiene or health
• ✦anything that may indicate a safeguarding concern

they must report their concerns immediately in accordance with the Beyond Words Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy.

Employees must not investigate concerns themselves but must record factual observations and follow the organisation's safeguarding procedures.

Where appropriate, immediate medical advice or emergency services will be sought if there are concerns regarding the child's health or safety.

• ✦Hygiene Standards High standards of hygiene will be maintained during all personal and intimate care procedures to protect children and employees from infection

Employees will:

• ✦wash their hands before and after providing personal care
• ✦support children to wash and dry their hands thoroughly where appropriate
• ✦wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required
• ✦clean and disinfect equipment and changing areas after use
• ✦dispose of waste safely and hygienically
• ✦follow the Beyond Words Health & Safety Policy and Infection Prevention procedures

• ✦Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Disposable PPE, including gloves and aprons where appropriate, will be used whenever there is a risk of contact with bodily fluids

PPE will:

• ✦be changed between children
• ✦never be reused
• ✦be disposed of safely after use

Employees will wash their hands immediately after removing PPE.

• ✦Cleaning and Waste Disposal All waste generated during personal or intimate care will be disposed of safely and hygienically

Changing areas and equipment will be cleaned after each use to minimise the risk of infection and ensure a safe environment for all children.

Intimate Care

• ✦Safeguarding Principles Personal and intimate care must always be provided in a way that safeguards both children and employees

Employees will:

• ✦respect children's privacy and dignity
• ✦communicate clearly throughout personal care
• ✦provide only the level of support required
• ✦maintain professional boundaries
• ✦remain alert to any safeguarding concerns
• ✦follow the Beyond Words Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy at all times

• ✦Protecting Children and Employees Beyond Words recognises that personal care situations can leave both children and employees vulnerable if clear procedures are not followed

Where reasonably practicable:

• ✦another employee will be aware that personal or intimate care is taking place
• ✦where reasonably practicable, employees should work within sight or hearing of another member of staff while maintaining the child's privacy and dignity
• ✦personal care will take place in an appropriate location that provides privacy while allowing assistance to be summoned if needed
• ✦employees will avoid situations where they are unnecessarily isolated from colleagues for prolonged periods
• ✦any unusual incidents or concerns will be recorded and reported promptly

• ✦Safeguarding Concerns Any concerns arising during personal care, including unexplained injuries, inappropriate behaviour, disclosures or changes in a child's presentation, must be reported immediately to the Founder & Director in accordance with the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Employees must never ignore or delay reporting safeguarding concerns.

• ✦Record Keeping Where appropriate, Beyond Words will maintain accurate records relating to personal and intimate care

Records may include:

• ✦significant toileting or continence incidents
• ✦changes to agreed care arrangements
• ✦accidents occurring during personal care
• ✦concerns regarding a child's health or wellbeing
• ✦safeguarding concerns
• ✦communication with parents or carers
• ✦refusal of personal or intimate care where this affects the child's wellbeing or safety

Records will be factual, accurate, dated and stored securely.

• ✦Working with Parents and Carers Beyond Words values strong partnerships with parents and carers

Parents and carers are responsible for informing the organisation of:

• ✦changes to their child's personal care needs
• ✦continence arrangements
• ✦medical conditions affecting personal care
• ✦changes to healthcare plans
• ✦any concerns that may affect the child's wellbeing

Employees will communicate appropriately with parents or carers regarding significant personal care matters while maintaining the child's dignity and confidentiality.

The Founder & Director is responsible for implementing, monitoring and reviewing this policy.

Monitoring will include:

• ✦reviewing personal care practices
• ✦monitoring records where appropriate
• ✦identifying employee training needs
• ✦reviewing incidents and safeguarding concerns
• ✦seeking feedback from employees and families where appropriate
• ✦implementing improvements to practice

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where legislation, guidance, organisational practice or significant incidents indicate that a review is necessary.

This policy should be read alongside:

• ✦BW-SAFE-001 , Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
• ✦BW-HS-001 , Health & Safety Policy
• ✦BW-RA-001 , Risk Assessment Policy
• ✦BW-MED-001 , Medication & First Aid Policy
• ✦BW-BEH-001 , Positive Relationships, Behaviour, Regulation & Support Policy
• ✦BW-EQ-001 , Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
• ✦BW-FIRE-001 , Fire Safety & Emergency Evacuation Policy
• ✦BW-DP-001 , Data Protection & Confidentiality Policy
• ✦BW-EQ-001 , Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy