Intimate Care and Toileting Policy

Plans and Policies

Children with Specific Toileting/Intimate Care Needs:

In all situations where a pupil needs assistance with Toileting/intimate care, a meeting will be convened, after enrolment and before the child starts school.
Parents, Guardians, Principal, Class Teacher, SNA, and if appropriate, the pupil, will attend.
The specific care needs of the child, and how the school will meet them, will be clarified.
Personnel involved in this care will be identified.
Provision for occasions when staffs are absent will be outlined e.g. Substitute SNA’s will not generally be involved in intimate care. Any change of personnel will be discussed with the pupil, if appropriate.
Two members of staff will be present when dealing with intimate care needs.
Any changes will be discussed with parent/guardian and pupil and noted in writing to the pupil’s file.
As far as possible the pupil will be involved in identification of his/her personal requirements, wishes, changes etc.
A written copy of the agreement will be kept on the pupils file.
Parents will be notified of any changes from agreed procedures.
At all times the dignity and privacy of the pupil will be paramount in addressing intimate care needs.
Staff will wear protective gloves.

Toileting Accidents:

At the Junior Infant induction meetings, the school procedures will be outlined to parents, and they will be asked to submit in writing specific wishes regarding toileting accidents.
If the pupil is unable to clean and change themselves, the parent will be given the option of a staff member and an older sibling from a senior class assisting the child (where available), two staff members assisting the child or the school will phone the parent to come to the school to assist the child.
A supply of clean underwear, wipes, track-suit bottoms etc will be kept in the school.
In the first instance, the pupil will be offered fresh clothing to clean and change themselves.
If, for any reason, the child is unable to clean or change themselves, the procedure outlined by parents will be followed.
If staff must clean /change the child, two members of staff, familiar to the child will attend to him/her. They will be discrete and take all precautions to maintain the dignity of the child.
Parents will be notified of these accidents.
A record of the incident should be kept.

Ratification and Review:

This Intimate Care and Toileting Policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 7 th March 2018.

This policy will be reviewed in 2021 or earlier if required.