Intimate Care Policy

School: SCOIL THOMAIS

Important Information for Staff and Parents

In cases where a pupil has been enrolled in the school with assessed toileting/intimate care needs, a meeting will be held with Principal/Deputy Principal, Class Teacher, SNA/s, Parents and if necessary, relevant outside professionals, for the purpose of clarifying the specific care needs relating to toileting and intimate care of the child, and how the school will meet them. Matters to be addressed include the following:

  • At all times the dignity and privacy of the pupil will be paramount in addressing intimate care needs.
  • Personnel involved in this care will be identified including provision for occasions when designated school staff are absent. The pupil will be informed of changes of personnel, if appropriate.
  • The promotion of self-care by the pupil him/herself will be encouraged in so far as it is possible.
  • Parents must provide the school with all necessary sanitary and other materials necessary to manage their child’s toileting and intimate care needs.
  • A short but concise daily log/diary will be kept by the staff involved in the administration of the specific toileting/intimate care needs and this will be available to parents.
  • Parents will be required to sign the Toileting and Intimate Care Agreement Form at the beginning of each school year and this agreement will be retained in the pupil’s file.
  • Two members of school staff, where possible, will be present when toileting/intimate care needs are being carried out with one lead and the other assisting as necessary. School staff must wear protective gloves and will take all necessary precautions to ensure health and safety requirements are met and adhere to best practice in relation to child safeguarding.
  • Toileting Accidents: In the case of a toileting accident, parents will be contacted when necessary and requested to come to the school with a change of clothing for their child, if this has not already been supplied. If accidents are likely to occur on an ongoing basis, parents will be requested to provide advance daily changes of clothes.
  • Toileting and the Playground: Teachers and SNAs will ensure such pupils have their toileting/care needs met before leaving the classroom for outdoor breaks or other out of class trips.
  • Challenging Behaviour: In the case of challenging behaviour where a child refuses toileting, or intimate care assistance, parents will be contacted immediately and will be requested to come to the school in the best interest of the child’s dignity, health and safety.
  • Child Protection: Child protection procedures will be adhered to at all times, in accordance with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement. All members of staff carrying out intimate care needs are vetted upon appointment to the school in accordance with National Child Protection Guidelines.

This policy was ratified by the BOM on 26th September 2023.

Signed: Brian Kealy (Chairperson) Signed: Lorna Diffley (Principal)

TOILETING/INTIMATE CARE POLICY FOR PUPILS

WITH SPECIFIC ASSESSED TOILETING/INTIMATE CARE NEEDS:

This agreement is made on behalf of the Board of Management of Scoil Thomáis and the parents of

Pupil: _________________________________________________

DOB: _________________________________________________

Class & Room: _________________________________________________

School Year: _________________________________________________

Outline of school policy and procedures for the administration of intimate care/toileting care for a pupil.

  1. At all times the dignity and privacy of the pupil will be paramount in addressing intimate care needs.
  2. Personnel involved in this care will be identified including provision for occasions when designated school staff are absent. The pupil will be informed of changes of personnel, if appropriate.
  3. The promotion of self-care by the pupil him/herself will be encouraged in so far as is possible.
  4. Parents must provide the school with all necessary sanitary and other materials necessary to manage their child’s toileting and intimate care needs.
  5. Parents will be required to sign the Toileting and Intimate Care Agreement Form and this agreement will be retained in the pupil’s file.
  6. Two members of school staff will be present in so far as is possible, when toileting/intimate care needs are being carried out. School staff must wear protective gloves and will take all necessary precautions to ensure health and safety requirements are met and adhere to best practice in relation to child safeguarding.
  7. Toileting Accidents: In the case of a toileting accident, parents will be contacted when necessary and requested to come to the school with a change of clothing for their child, if this has not already been supplied. If accidents are likely to occur on an ongoing basis, parents will be requested to provide advance daily changes of clothes.
  8. Toileting and the Playground: Teachers and SNAs will ensure such pupils have their toileting/care needs met before leaving the classroom for outdoor breaks or other out of class trips.
  9. Challenging Behaviour: In the case of challenging behaviour where a child refuses toileting, or intimate care assistance, parents will be contacted immediately and will be requested to come to the school in the best interest of the child’s dignity, health and safety.
  10. Child Protection: Child protection procedures will be adhered to at all times, in accordance with the school’s Child Safeguarding Statement. All members of staff carrying out intimate care needs are vetted upon appointment to the school in accordance with National Child Protection Guidelines.

AGREEMENT

I/We parents accept the school policy and procedures for the administration of toileting/intimate care for our child.

Signed (Parent 1) _______________________________________

NAME OF PARENT _______________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________

Signed (Parent 2) _______________________________________

NAME OF PARENT _______________________________________

DATE:_______________________________________

On behalf of the school – this agreement and the above policy and procedures has been clarified with parent(s)

Signed (P/DP) _______________________________________

NAME: _______________________________________

DATE: _______________________________________

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