Policy and Procedure No.24
Intimate care and Touch Policy.
At Millfield Pre-school (MPS), we are committed in ensuring that all our staff who are responsible for the intimate care of children always undertake their duties in a professional manner. MPS recognises that all children need to be treated with respect when intimate care is given. No child should be attended to in a way that causes distress, embarrassment, or discomfort.
Protection of the child:
At MPS we ensure:
a. Staff who provide intimate care are trained to do so and are always fully aware of best practice:
i. In nappy changing, toileting accidents.
ii. Administration of individual/personal medication.
b. Each staff member shall hold a current DBS and Safeguarding Certificate (valid for 2 years), qualifying them to be responsible for intimate care of all children.
c. Record when an individual child’s nappy has been changed or a medication administered.
d. Every child is supported as appropriate to their age, ability, and emotional needs. Staff encourage children to do as much for themselves as possible, e.g., hand washing after a nappy change.
e. Individual intimate care plans will be drawn up for children as appropriate to suit the circumstances of the child. In the case of a care plan requirement the Parents/Carers, Lead Practitioner/Manager, Senior Practitioner and/or other Outside Professional will work together to ensure that an appropriate plan is put in place. In the case of a more specific procedure only staff that have been trained and assessed as competent should undertake the procedure (e.g., the administration of Insulin for Diabetes). An individual care plan will be updated on a regular and/or requirement basis.
f. Each child’s right to privacy will be respected. Every child is treated with respect at all times; the child’s welfare and dignity is of paramount importance. Careful consideration will be given to each child’s situation to determine how many staff members might need to be present when a child is assisted to use the toilet/potty. Where possible one child will be cared for by one staff member unless there is a sound reason for having more staff members present. If this is the case, the reasons will be clearly documented.
g. If a staff member has concerns about or notices any physical and/or emotional changes in a child’s presentation, e.g., marks, soreness, being withdrawn etc., or the child should make a disclosure to the staff member they will immediately report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)(see Safeguarding and Children’s Welfare Policy and Procedure).
h. If a child makes a disclosure against a staff member, all necessary procedures will be followed (see Safeguarding and Children’s Welfare Policy and Procedure).
Touch Policy
- Millfield Pre-School recognises that forming close relationships with children in their early years is essential to enable children to develop and grow as individuals with a real understanding of social responsibility and self-esteem. We acknowledge that touch is a necessary part of the development, emotional well-being, care and education of all young children. We see touch as an everyday act of communication by physical means and this policy demonstrates what that might look like. To facilitate this all children will have a named Key Person who will develop a genuine bond and offer a settled close relationship.
The positive use of touch is a normal part of human interaction and the developmental age, emotional and communication needs of the individual child are recognised as being far more important than actual age. We understand that younger toddlers and some children with SEND will need more physical contact than older pre-school children nearing school entry and our day-to-day practice will be reflective of that.
Although we believe physical contact is central to warm, personal relationships and to the good quality care of young children we also believe that good quality practice encompasses a full understanding of child protection, and this is reflected in our policy and practice (Safeguarding and Children’s welfare P&P no. 2).
- Touch is appropriate for:
- Developmentally age appropriate care (babies, younger toddlers and children with SEND).
- Giving guidance to children (such as how to hold a paintbrush or when climbing).
- Providing emotional support eg comfort and reassurance( such as placing an arm around a distressed child, holding a child’s hand or a child sitting sideways on a practitioner’s lap.
- Physical/intimate care such as first aid, toileting, application of barrier creams and suncream (as agreed with parent/carer and/or on written consent).
- Personal and specifically tailored agreements between Millfield Pre-School and parents/carers of children with SEND.
Millfield Pre-School acknowledge the close emotional relationship that may develop between the child and their key person and other practitioners; however we will ensure that this does not undermine the child’s attachment with their parent/carer.
Signed: Clara Hall- Chairperson
Signed: Tegan Kidman- Lead Practitioner/Manager.
Reviewed: 4th February 2026
Review: 4th February 2027