When providing intimate care, Adventure Camps ensures that each child’s safety, dignity and privacy are maintained at all times.
‘Intimate care’ covers any task that involves washing, touching or carrying out procedures to intimate personal areas and is associated with bodily functions and personal hygiene. This includes toileting, washing, dressing and menstrual care.
For children who have an identified Key Person, it is usual for that Key Person to support intimate care where appropriate.
Staff providing intimate care will do so in a professional manner. All relevant safeguarding, health and safety, manual handling and child protection training will be completed before staff undertake intimate care duties. No child should experience distress or pain as a result of receiving intimate care.
Individual Care Plans #
Adventure Camps works in partnership with parents/carers and the child (where appropriate) to provide care tailored to individual needs. A written care plan will be produced where required.
The care plan will detail:
- What care is required
- Which staff members will carry out intimate care tasks
- The number of staff required (with reasons documented where more than one is needed)
- Any additional equipment required
- The child’s preferred method of communication (e.g., verbal, visual)
- The child’s level of independence and tasks they can complete themselves
Toileting Arrangements #
Adventure Camps ensures that:
- An adequate number of toilets and hand basins are available, usually with separate facilities for adults and children.
- Suitable hygienic changing facilities are available for children in nappies or who are not yet continent.
- Children’s privacy is respected while balancing safeguarding and supervision requirements.
- Dignity and respect are maintained while ensuring safety within the wider setting.
- Nappy changing and toileting areas are safe, hygienic and appropriately supervised.
Best Practice When Providing Intimate Care #
When intimate care is given, staff will explain each task to the child and the reason for it. Children will be encouraged to do as much for themselves as possible to promote independence.
Where intimate care is required regularly, two members of staff may share responsibilities to avoid over-dependency. However, parental views and the individual child’s needs will always be considered.
Safe recruitment procedures, staff supervision, safeguarding policies and intimate care procedures ensure that children’s safety and wellbeing are never compromised.
Protecting Children #
Staff are familiar with guidance from the local Safeguarding Partnership and follow the procedures set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused (2015).
If staff notice any physical changes such as marks, bruises or soreness, they will immediately inform the Manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and follow the Safeguarding Policy procedures.
If a child becomes unhappy about being cared for by a particular staff member, the Manager will investigate, record findings and discuss concerns with parents/carers. External advice will be sought where appropriate.
If a child makes an allegation against a staff member, the procedures set out in the Safeguarding Policy will be followed immediately.
Dealing with Blood and Body Fluids #
Blood, vomit, urine and faeces will be cleaned up immediately and disposed of safely. Waste will be double-bagged and removed from the premises.
Staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable gloves and aprons, and will wash thoroughly afterwards.
Soiled clothing will be bagged and sent home; staff will not rinse clothing on site. Children will be kept away from affected areas until fully cleaned and disinfected.
Adventure Camps maintains high standards of hygiene and takes all practicable steps to prevent and control the spread of infection.
Policy Review Details #
This policy was adopted by: Adventure Camps
Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2025): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements – Concerns about children’s safety and welfare [3.9] and Toilets and intimate hygiene [3.86].
