Eglish National School
Intimate Care and Toileting Policy
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)
- 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 speak to the child and inform them as they are carrying out each step of the Intimate care process.
- Staff will wear protective gloves
Toileting Accidents:
- At the junior infant induction meetings, and / or in enrolment packs, the school procedures will be outlined to parents, and they will be asked to submit in writing specific wishes regarding toileting accidents
- A supply of clean underwear, nappies 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
- Parents will be notified of these accidents
- A record of the incident should be kept