{"id":9131,"date":"2022-07-11T12:21:22","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T11:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/supportforschools\/?page_id=9131"},"modified":"2025-09-26T09:48:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T08:48:59","slug":"intimate-care","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/physical-difficulties\/intimate-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Intimate care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Children and young people with physical difficulties may require assistance with intimate care tasks, especially toileting. These young people have the right to be safe, to be treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect, and to be able to access all aspects of the education curriculum<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intimate care can be defined as; <\/span>Any care which involves washing, touching or carrying out a procedure to intimate personal areas which most people usually carry out themselves including continence and menstrual management as well as more ordinary tasks such as help with washing, toileting or dressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a child or young person needs this kind of support or supervision whilst engaged in their own intimate self-care, an intimate care plan should be in place<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 A model care plan<\/strong> is provided: <\/span>Intimate Care Toileting Plan<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the Intimate Care Plan schools should have an intimate care policy which aims to provide a clear framework for staff to ensure the safety and dignity of all learners who need support with personal care, including toileting and continence management. It should also clarify for learners and their families the support they can expect from school.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0A model policy<\/strong> is provided: Intimate Care Model Policy for Schools \u2013 Updated June 2025\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff should receive training in good working practices which comply with Health and Safety regulations such as; Manual Handling, Child Protection, Risk Assessments. Staff should also receive training from health personnel for specific intimate care procedures where relevant. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where a routine procedure needs to be established, there should be an agreed care plan involving discussion between school staff, parents or carers, relevant health personnel and the child\/young person.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helpful links  <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n