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Best Practice in Intimate Personal Care Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all intimate personal care provided by staff at {{org_field_name}} is safe, dignified, respectful, and person-centred. Intimate personal care is a highly sensitive area of support and must be delivered in a way that upholds privacy, dignity, independence, and choice.

This policy provides clear guidance for staff on best practices in washing, dressing, toileting, menstrual care, incontinence management, and hygiene while ensuring compliance with Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and safeguarding requirements.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff members who provide intimate personal care to people we support.
• All individuals receiving support, ensuring their personal preferences, dignity, and rights are respected.
• Visitors, healthcare professionals, and contractors working in environments where intimate care may be required.

3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

This policy aligns with:

• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014:
  • Regulation 9 – Person-Centred Care (Ensuring care is tailored to individual needs and preferences)
  • Regulation 10 – Dignity and Respect (Ensuring individuals receive care that respects their privacy)
  • Regulation 11 – Need for Consent (Ensuring informed consent is obtained before providing personal care)
  • Regulation 13 – Safeguarding from Abuse (Protecting individuals from harm and improper treatment)
  • Regulation 12 – Safe Care and Treatment (Ensuring safe, hygienic, and appropriate personal care practices)
• Equality Act 2010 – Ensuring care is free from discrimination based on gender, disability, religion, or sexuality.
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Ensuring individuals who lack capacity have decisions made in their best interests.
• Human Rights Act 1998 – Protecting an individual’s right to privacy and dignity.
• Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines (CQC & NHS) – Ensuring personal hygiene procedures prevent cross-contamination and infection.

4. Principles of Best Practice in Intimate Personal Care

• Dignity and Respect – Personal care must always be delivered in a way that preserves an individual’s self-respect and choice.
• Person-Centred Approach – Every individual has unique preferences, routines, and cultural considerations regarding their personal care.
• Privacy and Confidentiality – Intimate care must be delivered discreetly, respecting an individual’s right to privacy.
• Consent and Choice – No personal care should be provided without explicit consent or best-interest decision-making if the person lacks capacity.
• Safety and Hygiene – Strict infection control practices must be followed at all times.
• Communication and Emotional Support – Staff should communicate with individuals throughout the process, ensuring they feel comfortable and respected.

5. Consent and Capacity in Intimate Personal Care

• Staff must obtain informed consent before providing personal care.
• If a person lacks mental capacity, care must be provided in their best interests, following the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Individuals must be supported to participate as much as possible in their own personal care routines.
• If an individual refuses care, staff must:
  • Respect their decision unless it places them at risk.
  • Record the refusal and inform the manager.
  • Seek guidance on alternative approaches to encourage cooperation.

6. Providing Safe and Dignified Intimate Personal Care

6.1 Preparing for Personal Care

• Ensure the individual is fully informed and comfortable before beginning.
• Encourage independence, allowing them to do as much for themselves as possible.
• Ensure privacy, closing doors and curtains before starting care.
• Use appropriate language and reassurance throughout the process.
• Wash hands before and after care and wear appropriate PPE (gloves, aprons).

6.2 Assisting with Washing and Bathing

• Offer a choice of a bath, shower, or bed wash according to individual preference.
• Ensure water temperature is tested and comfortable before use.
• Support individuals in a respectful and non-intrusive manner.
• Provide culturally appropriate care, including same-gender carers if requested.
• Dry the skin thoroughly to prevent sores and infections.

6.3 Dressing and Undressing

• Always respect an individual’s choice of clothing.
• Encourage independence where possible.
• Use discreet techniques to protect modesty, such as covering parts of the body not being dressed.
• Assist with fastenings, buttons, and zips where required while respecting preferences.

6.4 Toileting and Continence Care

• Ensure individuals are supported in a discreet and respectful manner.
• Offer timely assistance to prevent discomfort.
• Use correct lifting and handling techniques to assist individuals with mobility needs.
• Dispose of waste appropriately, using designated clinical waste bins if necessary.

6.5 Menstrual Care

• Respect individual needs and preferences in relation to menstrual hygiene.
• Ensure access to appropriate sanitary products.
• Provide support in a sensitive and non-judgemental manner.

6.6 Supporting Individuals with Disabilities or Specific Needs

• Adapt techniques to accommodate physical disabilities, sensory impairments, or cognitive conditions.
• Use adaptive equipment such as hoists, shower chairs, and continence aids where needed.
• Work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate support.

7. Safeguarding and Professional Boundaries

• Staff must maintain clear professional boundaries when providing intimate care.
• Any signs of abuse, distress, or unusual bruising must be reported immediately as a safeguarding concern.
• Staff must never provide personal care in a way that could be misinterpreted or that makes the individual feel uncomfortable.
• Two staff members may be present in cases where additional safeguarding measures are needed.

8. Infection Prevention and Control

• All staff must follow hand hygiene protocols before and after personal care.
• Use gloves and aprons, changing them after each task.
• Clean equipment and surfaces before and after use to prevent cross-contamination.
• Dispose of soiled materials in clinical waste bins.

9. Communication and Emotional Support

• Staff should use reassuring and respectful communication throughout personal care routines.
• If an individual is uncomfortable, staff must:
  • Pause and check for distress.
  • Offer alternative methods of support.
  • Provide reassurance and adapt techniques where needed.

10. Recording and Reporting Personal Care

• All personal care activities must be documented accurately in care records.
• Any concerns, refusals, or changes in health must be reported to the manager.
• Staff must complete incident reports for skin integrity issues, safeguarding concerns, or accidents.

11. Staff Training and Competency

• All staff must complete mandatory training on intimate personal care, dignity in care, and infection control.
• Staff must receive refresher training annually.
• Regular supervisions and competency checks ensure best practices are maintained.

12. Related Policies

• SL08 – Dignity and Respect Policy
• SL09 – Consent to Care Policy
• SL13 – Safeguarding Adults from Abuse Policy
• SL18 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy

13. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or earlier if:

• Legislation or CQC guidance changes.
• Feedback from staff or people we support suggests improvements.

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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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