- Purpose
This policy sets out how First Kick Football provides intimate care for children in a safe, dignified, and respectful manner. We comply with the EYFS 2023 (paras 3.3–3.7, 3.58–3.60), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated 2023), and local safeguarding partnership guidance.
- Definition of Intimate Care
‘Intimate care’ includes any personal tasks that involve contact with a child’s body, such as toileting, washing, dressing, menstrual care, or supporting children with medical or physical needs.
- Roles & Responsibilities
– Operations Director – ensures staff training, policies, and safer recruitment practices are in place.
– Office Team – maintain care plans, training records, and safeguarding logs.
– Holiday Club Manager – responsible on site for safe practice, staff supervision, and responding to concerns.
– All Staff – carry out intimate care professionally, respectfully, and in line with safeguarding training.
- Care Plans
– Where a child requires intimate care, a care plan is agreed with parents/carers.
– The plan sets out the type of care, staffing requirements, equipment, communication needs, and child’s level of ability.
– Staff encourage children to be as independent as possible.
- Safeguarding & Child Protection
– Staff are alert to safeguarding issues and follow the Safeguarding Children Policy at all times.
– Concerns about physical marks, bruises, or distress during care are reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
– If a child makes an allegation against staff, the Safeguarding Policy and Allegations Management procedures are followed.
– If a child becomes unhappy about care arrangements, the Manager investigates and consults parents.
- Good Practice in Intimate Care
– Staff explain each step of the care to the child.
– Where possible, two staff share the responsibility for a child who requires regular care, to reduce dependency on one individual.
– Parents’ views are taken into account in planning care.
– Staff maintain confidentiality and respect children’s privacy at all times.
- Dealing with Blood & Body Fluids
– Blood, vomit, urine, and faeces are cleaned immediately.
– Waste is double-bagged and removed from the premises.
– Staff wear disposable gloves and aprons and wash thoroughly afterwards.
– Soiled clothing is bagged and sent home; staff do not rinse it.
– Children are kept away from affected areas until cleaning is complete.
- Infection Control
Staff maintain high standards of hygiene and follow procedures to prevent the spread of infection, in line with the Illness and Accidents Policy.
- Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by legislation or following an incident.