Personal Care Policy

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework in England. The EYFS states: Personal care includes helping a child, for reasons of age, illness or disability, with eating or drinking, or in connection with toileting, washing, bathing and dressing.

Parent responsibilities: parents / carers have a responsibility to inform us about their child’s intimate care needs and to keep us updated.

Little Explorers responsibilities:

• Everyone over the age of 16 working with children will hold or be applying for a DBS / CRB check.
• Only assistants / staff who have completed the induction process (all settings) and received an Ofsted suitability letter (childminders) will take on the intimate care of children.
• All assistants / staff must be trained in the specific types of intimate care as required.
• If an assistant / staff member has concerns about a colleague’s intimate care practice, they must report it to the designated safeguarding lead and / or local authority designated officer (LADO).
• When carrying out personal care (nappy changing, toileting etc), childminders must ensure children’s privacy while also monitoring the other children in the setting to keep them safe.

Practice guidelines:

• Do not carry a mobile phone, camera or similar when providing intimate care.
• When intimate care is being carried out, all children have the right to dignity and privacy – use the adult’s body to shield children while they are having their nappies changed or visiting the toilet.
• Talk to the child and, where possible, gain their permission for the intimate care to take place.
• Try to encourage a child’s independence as far as possible - where the child is fully dependent, talk with them about what is happening.
• Note any unusual markings, discolorations or swelling on the child – record and report immediately.
• Follow the ‘Non-Mobile Baby Protocol’ if a non-mobile baby or child has marks on their body.

Note: the intimate care of boys and girls can be carried out by a member of staff of the same or opposite sex to the child.

If you have any questions about this policy or would like to make any comments, please ask.