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Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Assisting with Personal Care Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all personal care provided within {{org_field_name}} is delivered in a manner that promotes dignity, independence, and respect while complying with Regulation 9 (Person-Centred Care), Regulation 10 (Dignity and Respect), and Regulation 11 (Need for Consent) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

This policy sets out the principles and procedures to ensure that staff deliver personal care to individuals in a safe, effective, compassionate, and dignified manner. It also ensures that service users receive care that is tailored to their needs and preferences, empowering them to maintain as much independence as possible.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff involved in assisting service users with personal care.
• Service users receiving personal care services.
• Registered Managers and Senior Staff, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• CQC Inspectors, who assess compliance with care regulations.
• Families and advocates, involved in decision-making regarding personal care when appropriate.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is aligned with the following legislation and guidelines:

• Regulation 9: Person-Centred Care – Ensuring care is tailored to individual needs.
• Regulation 10: Dignity and Respect – Ensuring personal care respects the privacy and dignity of service users.
• Regulation 11: Need for Consent – Ensuring informed consent is obtained before providing personal care.
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of individuals lacking capacity.
• Equality Act 2010 – Preventing discrimination and ensuring equal access to care.
• CQC Fundamental Standards – Setting out expectations for quality care and service delivery.

4. Definition of Personal Care

Personal care includes:

• Washing and bathing – Assisting with showering, bathing, and maintaining hygiene.
• Toileting support – Assistance with continence care, use of toilet facilities, and changing incontinence products.
• Dressing and grooming – Supporting individuals with choosing and putting on clothes, hair care, and other personal grooming tasks.
• Oral hygiene – Assisting with brushing teeth, dentures, and mouth care.
• Support with eating and drinking – Ensuring service users receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
• Medication assistance – Helping with administration of prescribed medication where required.

5. Principles of Assisting with Personal Care

All staff must adhere to the following principles when providing personal care:

• Dignity and Respect: Always respect a service user’s privacy, choices, and personal preferences.
• Person-Centred Approach: Care should be tailored to the individual’s needs, preferences, and cultural background.
• Independence and Choice: Encourage and support service users to do as much as they can for themselves.
• Privacy: Always ensure privacy by closing doors, using screens, and covering the service user appropriately.
• Sensitivity: Be mindful of the individual’s feelings, emotions, and comfort when assisting with personal care.
• Informed Consent: Always obtain consent before providing assistance and document this appropriately.
• Safeguarding and Protection: Report any concerns regarding abuse or neglect immediately.

6. Staff Roles and Responsibilities

All staff involved in providing personal care must:

• Follow the individualised care plan for each service user.
• Be trained and competent in personal care assistance.
• Use protective equipment (PPE) to prevent infection risks.
• Communicate effectively, reassuring and explaining actions to service users.
• Report any changes in a service user’s condition to the appropriate senior staff.
• Maintain accurate records of care provided, including consent and refusals.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures.

7. Consent and Mental Capacity

• Obtaining Consent: Staff must always seek verbal or written consent before providing personal care.
• Mental Capacity Considerations: If a service user lacks capacity, decisions must be made in their best interests following the Mental Capacity Act 2005 guidelines.
• Advanced Care Planning: Where applicable, documented preferences and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) directives must be followed.
• Right to Refuse: If a service user refuses care, this must be documented, and appropriate steps must be taken to address their concerns.

8. Safeguarding and Abuse Prevention

Personal care puts staff in a position of trust, and safeguarding procedures must be followed to prevent abuse. This includes:

• Zero-tolerance approach to abuse – All staff must report suspected abuse immediately.
• Recognising signs of neglect or mistreatment.
• Ensuring service users are comfortable with staff providing their care.
• Encouraging service users to express concerns or complaints about their care experience.

9. Infection Control Measures

To maintain hygiene and reduce infection risks, all staff must:

• Follow handwashing and sanitisation protocols before and after providing personal care.
• Use appropriate PPE, such as gloves, aprons, and masks where necessary.
• Ensure personal care areas are clean and well-maintained.
• Dispose of waste materials safely and in line with infection control policies.
• Follow COVID-19 or other outbreak guidelines as advised by the Public Health Authorities.

10. Training and Competency Requirements

All staff providing personal care must undergo:

• Mandatory induction training covering personal care, dignity, safeguarding, and infection control.
• Refresher training every 12 months to maintain competency.
• Observation-based competency assessments conducted periodically by senior staff.
• Specialist training where required (e.g., manual handling, PEG feeding, catheter care).

11. Documentation and Record-Keeping

Accurate documentation is essential for compliance and safeguarding. Staff must:

• Record all personal care provided in service user care logs.
• Note any changes in physical or emotional well-being.
• Document any concerns or safeguarding issues.
• Ensure that informed consent or refusals of care are recorded properly.

12. Compliance Monitoring and Auditing

To ensure continuous compliance with CQC regulations, {{org_field_name}} implements:

• Regular spot checks and audits by senior staff.
• Service user feedback surveys to assess satisfaction with personal care.
• Incident reviews to identify areas for improvement.
• Supervisions and appraisals to monitor staff performance and training needs.
• Annual policy review to reflect best practices and regulatory changes.

13. Managing Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with this policy may result in:

• Retraining or additional supervision for staff.
• Formal warnings or disciplinary action if breaches occur.
• Reporting to external regulatory bodies if care standards are not met.
• CQC intervention in cases of serious breaches impacting service user well-being.

14. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• Safeguarding Adults from Abuse Policy
• Infection Control and Hygiene Policy
• Mental Capacity Act and Consent Policy
• Health and Safety at Work Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Service User Rights and Complaints Policy

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if changes in legislation, CQC regulations, or organisational needs require amendments. Updates will be communicated to all staff, stakeholders, and service users.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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