Intimate Care Policy

Intimate care is an important, necessary, and essential aspect of the care I provide throughout the day. It includes nappy changing, supporting children with toileting, changing clothes, administering first aid, personal hygiene and providing cuddles and physical reassurance.

I am committed to providing a safe, respectful, and hygienic environment for all children that ensures they are treated with dignity, and maintains their privacy. Intimate care is always given as gently and as sensitively as possible to ensure a positive experience.

All intimate care will be provided in accordance with the EYFS statutory framework 2026, with your child’s safety, dignity, privacy and wellbeing at the centre of my practice.

Intimate Care Includes: nappy changing, assistance with toileting, cleaning a child following a toileting accident, changing wet or soiled clothing, helping with personal hygiene, applying authorised creams or medication where required, supporting a child with additional or medical needs.

If your child has a special need, disability or medical need, I will work closely with you and relevant professionals, to obtain as much information as possible in order to make the process of intimate care as comfortable as possible. I will endeavour to take all of yours' and your child's individual concerns into account. I believe that information on intimate care should only be communicated by sealed letter, personal contact or telephone between parents/guardians and myself. An individual intimate care plan will be developed where necessary. The plan will identify your child’s needs, the assistance required, equipment, communication methods and arrangements for promoting independence.

I am familiar with the normal precautions for avoiding infection and will follow good practice in hygiene.
I am happy to take part in any appropriate training.
I will allow your child to care for themselves as far as they are able to, and will promote appropriate use of toilets and associated skills.
I will always be aware of and respond to your child's reactions, and provide reassurance whenever they need it.

Preparation - I ensure that all necessary supplies are ready and available (nappies, wipes, changing mats etc).

During nappy changes and toileting children are treated with kindness and respect at all times. I explain the process to the child, including always asking permission 'Shall we change your nappy?' I always use appropriate, reassuring language. I make sure the child is safe and secure by changing nappies on the floor for example. Soiled nappies/underwear are removed and the skin gently cleaned, and if recorded in a child's records any necessary cream or ointment is applied. I put on a clean nappy or underwear and redress the child, or support them to redress themselves, encouraging independence where developmentally appropriate.

Respect and dignity - I maintain the child's privacy and dignity, by ensuring the changing area is discreet or by using my body as a shield to the child to avoid unnecessary exposure of their body, whilst balancing the needs to safeguard the other children in my care. I use positive, comforting language throughout the process and always provide reassuring cuddles when sought by a child who needs comfort, as this is essential to support their emotional development. I never shame, embarrass or punish a child for toileting accidents. I respect the child's personal preferences and take account of the child’s communication, cultural, medical and SEND needs

Nappies will be changed promptly when required in a clean and suitable area. Toileting support will be provided according to the child’s developmental stage and individual needs. Children will be encouraged to:

recognise when they need the toilet, manage clothing where possible, clean themselves when developmentally appropriate, flush the toilet, wash and dry their hands.

I will discuss your child’s toileting and nappy-changing routines with you, and any significant changes or concerns. You can request me to complete your child's Tapestry care journal for all toileting.

Hygiene

Appropriate hygiene procedures will be followed during all intimate care. I will: wash hands before and after intimate care, use gloves and protective clothing where appropriate, clean and disinfect changing surfaces, dispose of nappies and bodily-fluid waste safely, support children to wash their hands after toileting.

Safeguarding

Intimate care will always be provided within appropriate professional boundaries. I am always alert to unexplained injuries, marks, soreness, changes in behaviour, disclosures made by a child or signs and symptoms of abuse. I would follow my Safeguarding procedure by reporting to Children's First Response Hub, Tel 01202 123334, Email childrensfirstresponse@bcpcoouncil.gov.uk.

Any safeguarding concern will be recorded and dealt with immediately in accordance with my Safeguarding and Welfare Policy.

I will never: make inappropriate or sexualised comments, undertake unnecessary physical contact, use intimate care as a form of discipline.

Recording and Confidentiality

Significant accidents, injuries, safeguarding concerns or unusual circumstances relating to intimate care will be recorded appropriately. Information about a child’s intimate care needs will be kept confidential and shared only with those who need the information to safeguard and care for the child.

Parents as Partners

Parents/carers are encouraged to share information about their child’s toileting, nappy changing, personal care and medical needs. I will work with parents/carers to provide consistent and supportive care, including during toilet training.

Eric (The Children's Bowel and Bladder Charity) has lots of useful information to support potty training Eric.org.uk