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Shaving People Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all residents at {{org_field_name}} receive safe, dignified, and person-centred shaving assistance as part of their personal care routine. This policy aims to protect residents from injury, infection, or distress by outlining clear procedures for safe shaving practices, taking into account personal preferences, hygiene, and infection control measures.

This policy aligns with The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, and best practices in infection prevention and personal care​​. It also ensures compliance with the principles of dignity, respect, and individual choice in personal grooming​.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Residents who require assistance or supervision with shaving.
• Staff members providing shaving support.
• External professionals such as barbers or hairdressers offering grooming services.
• Family members or visitors assisting residents with shaving.

3. Managing Shaving Efficiently

3.1 Resident Choice, Consent and Personal Preferences

Shaving is a personal aspect of care and grooming. Each resident’s wishes, preferences, dignity, privacy, cultural or religious beliefs and usual grooming routine must be respected. Support must be provided in accordance with the resident’s personal plan and in a way that promotes their autonomy and independence.

Residents must be supported to make choices about:

• whether they wish to shave or retain facial or other body hair;
• how often they wish to shave;
• the style in which facial hair is maintained;
• the type of shaving method or equipment they prefer, where this can be used safely;
• whether they wish to shave independently, with supervision or with staff assistance; and
• whether they wish to use an external professional grooming service.

Before providing shaving assistance, staff must:

• explain the proposed assistance in a way the resident can understand;
• obtain the resident’s consent;
• check the resident’s personal plan for their preferences, usual routine, relevant health conditions, skin problems, bleeding risks and identified risk-control measures;
• encourage and support the resident to undertake as much of the activity independently as they are able and wish to do; and
• respect a resident’s decision to refuse or stop shaving assistance.

A resident must be presumed to have capacity to make a decision about shaving unless it is established otherwise in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. A person must not be treated as unable to make the decision merely because they make a decision that staff or others consider unwise.

Where there is reason to doubt a resident’s capacity to make a specific decision about shaving, all practicable steps must first be taken to support the resident to make the decision themselves. Where the resident is assessed as lacking capacity for that particular decision at that particular time, any decision or action taken on their behalf must be made in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its statutory principles and the resident’s best interests. The resident must be involved as far as possible, and any valid and applicable decision made by an attorney, deputy or other person with lawful authority must be respected.

Refusal, distress or resistance during shaving must not automatically be regarded as evidence that the resident lacks capacity. Staff must stop, establish the reason for the distress or refusal and consider whether the activity can safely be offered again at another time or in another way.

Shaving must not be imposed through force, restraint or coercion solely for reasons of appearance, routine or staff convenience. Where any proposed action could amount to control, restraint or a restriction of liberty, staff must follow the service’s policy on control, restraint and restrictive practice and ensure that any action is necessary, proportionate and lawfully authorised.

3.2 Infection Prevention and Control and Hygiene Measures

Shaving can involve contact with skin, blood and potentially contaminated equipment. Staff must apply the service’s infection prevention and control procedures and Standard Infection Control Precautions to every resident, irrespective of whether an infection or blood-borne virus is known or suspected.

Staff must:

• perform effective hand hygiene before and after providing shaving assistance and after removing gloves;
• assess the anticipated risk of exposure to blood or body fluids and use appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with the service’s infection prevention and control procedures;
• cover any cuts or breaks in their own skin with a waterproof dressing before providing care;
• use clean equipment that is suitable for the resident and the intended purpose;
• ensure shaving equipment designated for an individual resident is clearly identifiable and is not used by another resident;
• clean and maintain reusable personal electric shavers in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the service’s infection prevention and control procedures;
• ensure disposable razors intended for single use are not reused;
• dispose of used disposable razors immediately and safely into an appropriate approved sharps container at the point of use;
• never leave used blades or razors unsecured or in general household waste;
• manage any blood or body-fluid contamination in accordance with the service’s infection prevention and control and blood-spillage procedures; and
• report any sharps injury, exposure to blood or body fluids, equipment contamination or infection-control concern immediately in accordance with the service’s incident-reporting and infection prevention and control procedures.

Electric razors and other shaving equipment that cannot be safely and effectively decontaminated between different people must not be shared between residents.

Standard Infection Control Precautions must be applied consistently to all residents. Staff must not rely upon knowledge or disclosure of a resident’s blood-borne virus status when determining basic infection-control precautions.

Where a resident has an active skin infection, unexplained rash, open wound, active bleeding or another condition that may make shaving unsafe, staff must avoid the affected area, consider whether shaving should be postponed or an alternative method used, and seek appropriate clinical advice where necessary. Any significant change must be recorded and the resident’s personal plan and risk assessment reviewed where required.

3.3 Safety Considerations and Individual Risk Assessment

Shaving may present risks including cuts, bleeding, skin damage, infection, distress and accidental injury. The level of assessment and support provided must be proportionate to the resident’s individual needs and circumstances and must be reflected in their personal plan where shaving assistance forms part of their care and support.

Before determining the appropriate shaving method, staff must consider, where relevant:

• the resident’s wishes and usual shaving routine;
• their ability to shave independently or participate in the activity;
• skin condition, skin integrity, rashes, lesions, wounds or infection;
• history of cuts or bleeding associated with shaving;
• medicines or health conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding;
• tremor, involuntary movement or reduced dexterity;
• sensory or cognitive impairment;
• behaviour or distress that may make use of a sharp implement unsafe;
• the type and condition of the shaving equipment; and
• any clinical advice or instructions relevant to the resident.

Where a resident is taking an anticoagulant medicine or has another condition that increases their risk of bleeding, staff must take particular care to minimise the risk of cuts. An electric razor should be considered where appropriate. The safest method must be determined according to the resident’s individual circumstances, personal preferences, risk assessment and any relevant advice from their GP, anticoagulation service, pharmacist, registered nurse or other healthcare professional.

A resident must not automatically be prevented from exercising choice solely because they take anticoagulant medication. Where their preferred method presents a material risk, this must be discussed with them and, where necessary, appropriate professional advice obtained so that an informed and proportionate decision can be made.

Electric shavers may be considered for residents who have tremor, reduced dexterity, involuntary movement, cognitive impairment or another condition that increases the risk associated with a bladed razor. However, the choice of shaving method must remain person-centred and based upon individual assessment rather than diagnosis alone.

Shaving must take place in a suitably lit, comfortable and private environment. Equipment must be checked before use and any defective, damaged or contaminated shaving equipment must be removed from use.

Where a resident’s condition, risks, preferences or ability to participate change, the relevant risk assessment and personal plan must be reviewed and amended as necessary.

3.4 Procedure for Safe Shaving Assistance

Staff providing shaving assistance must follow the resident’s personal plan, individual risk assessment, infection prevention and control procedures and the manufacturer’s instructions for any equipment being used.

1. Preparation

Staff must:

• confirm the resident’s identity and explain what assistance is proposed;
• obtain consent before commencing;
• confirm the resident’s preferred shaving method and usual routine;
• provide privacy and ensure the environment is comfortable and sufficiently well lit;
• perform hand hygiene;
• select personal protective equipment according to the anticipated risk of exposure to blood or body fluids;
• inspect the skin for cuts, bleeding, rashes, wounds, irritation or other changes which may affect whether shaving can safely proceed;
• check that the shaving equipment is clean, suitable, in good condition and designated for that resident;
• check an electric shaver and its cable, charger or other electrical components for visible damage before use;
• ensure any disposable razor being used is new and intended for single use; and
• prepare any water, shaving cream, gel, moisturiser or other products required, taking account of known allergies, sensitivities and the resident’s preferences.

2. Shaving

Staff must:

• encourage the resident to undertake as much of the activity independently as they are safely able and wish to do;
• follow the resident’s preferred routine so far as it is safe to do so;
• use gentle and controlled movements;
• avoid shaving directly over wounds, damaged skin, inflamed areas, lesions or other areas where shaving may cause harm;
• continually observe the resident for pain, distress, bleeding, skin irritation or withdrawal of consent;
• stop the activity if the resident withdraws consent, becomes significantly distressed or if continuing would present an unacceptable risk; and
• seek assistance or appropriate clinical advice where concerns arise which cannot safely be managed within the staff member’s role and competence.

Where wet shaving is undertaken, shaving cream or gel should be used where appropriate to reduce friction and the razor should normally be moved in the direction of hair growth unless the resident’s established safe shaving routine requires otherwise.

3. After Shaving

Staff must:

• check the resident’s skin for cuts, bleeding, irritation or other concerns;
• provide appropriate first aid for minor cuts within the staff member’s training and competence;
• obtain clinical assistance where bleeding is significant, prolonged or otherwise concerning;
• support the resident to wash or rinse and dry the shaved area as appropriate;
• apply the resident’s preferred moisturiser or other suitable product where this forms part of their routine and there is no contraindication;
• dispose of a single-use razor immediately into the appropriate approved sharps container;
• clean and maintain reusable personal shaving equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
• remove personal protective equipment safely, where used; and
• perform hand hygiene after completing the activity.

The provision of shaving assistance must be recorded in accordance with the service’s care-recording arrangements where recording is required. Any refusal, injury, bleeding, skin abnormality, significant distress, change in ability, change in preference or other concern relevant to the resident’s care and support must be recorded and reported appropriately.

The resident’s personal plan and relevant risk assessment must be reviewed and amended where there is a change in their assessed need, preferred shaving arrangements or identified risk. The personal plan must not be used merely as a routine daily activity log.

3.5 Supporting Residents with Additional Needs

Some residents may require additional support to shave safely because of cognitive impairment, dementia, physical disability, sensory impairment, reduced dexterity, involuntary movement, mental health needs, communication needs or another condition affecting their ability to undertake personal care independently.

Support must be individualised and based on the resident’s assessed needs, wishes, personal outcomes and personal plan.

Staff must, where appropriate:

• communicate in the resident’s preferred language and method of communication;
• explain each stage before proceeding and allow sufficient time for the resident to understand and respond;
• use calm and respectful communication;
• encourage the resident to participate as independently as possible;
• provide appropriate aids, equipment or positioning to promote independence and safety;
• offer a mirror or other appropriate assistance where this enables the resident to participate;
• consider a safer alternative shaving method where the resident’s assessed needs make their usual method unsafe; and
• stop if the resident withdraws consent or becomes distressed and continuing is not immediately necessary to prevent harm.

A resident’s refusal to shave or to receive shaving assistance must be respected unless there is a lawful basis for taking action otherwise. Refusal must not, by itself, be interpreted as evidence that the resident lacks mental capacity.

Where repeated refusal appears to be associated with pain, skin problems, communication difficulty, cognitive impairment, emotional distress or another change in the resident’s condition, staff must explore the reason sensitively and consider whether further assessment or professional advice is required.

Family members or other representatives may be involved where the resident consents to their involvement or where the person has lawful authority to act in relation to the relevant decision. Where the resident lacks capacity for a specific shaving-related decision, involvement of family members or representatives must take place in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the resident’s best interests. Family preference alone does not provide authority to shave a resident against their wishes.

Where resistance to shaving raises consideration of restraint or restrictive practice, staff must not proceed solely for grooming or appearance purposes. Any use of control or restraint must meet the requirements of the service’s control and restraint policy, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 where applicable, and Regulation 29 of the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017.

Any significant or persistent change affecting the resident’s personal care needs must prompt review of the personal plan and relevant risk assessment.

3.6 Family and External Grooming Services

Residents who prefer family members or professional barbers to assist with shaving should be supported in arranging these services. {{org_field_name}} ensures:

• Visitors follow hygiene and infection control protocols if assisting with shaving.
• Residents who wish to attend external barber appointments are supported with transport and scheduling.
• Mobile grooming services are welcomed, provided they follow the home’s infection control policies.

3.7 Shaving-Related Injuries, Incidents and Safeguarding

Any injury, bleeding, skin damage, sharps injury or other adverse incident occurring during shaving assistance must be responded to promptly and in accordance with the resident’s needs, the service’s first-aid arrangements, incident-reporting procedures, infection prevention and control procedures and safeguarding procedures.

Staff must:

• stop shaving immediately where continuing may cause further harm;
• provide appropriate first aid within their level of training and competence;
• obtain assistance from a registered nurse or other appropriate healthcare professional where clinically indicated;
• seek urgent medical assistance where the nature or severity of the injury requires it;
• report and record the incident promptly in accordance with the service’s incident-reporting arrangements;
• record the circumstances, injury observed, immediate action taken and subsequent monitoring or treatment;
• inform the manager or person in charge in accordance with the service’s reporting procedure;
• review the resident’s risk assessment and personal plan where the incident identifies a new or changed risk; and
• take action to prevent recurrence.

Unexplained injuries, repeated injuries, inappropriate or rough handling, deliberate injury, forced shaving or any concern that a resident has experienced abuse, neglect or improper treatment must be managed immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Neglect Policy and the Wales Safeguarding Procedures.

The service provider must make referrals to safeguarding authorities and other agencies where required and must ensure that immediate action is taken to protect the resident and any other individual who may be at risk.

Where an incident meets a statutory notification requirement, the service provider must notify Care Inspectorate Wales in accordance with Regulation 60 and Schedule 3 of the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017. This includes, where applicable:

• any abuse or allegation of abuse involving the service provider, a member of staff or a volunteer;
• a serious accident or injury to an individual;
• an incident reported to the police; and
• any other event specified in Schedule 3 which applies to the circumstances.

Required notifications must be made without delay and in the manner required by Care Inspectorate Wales.

Where an error, omission or incident has caused harm, or has the potential to cause harm, the service must also comply with its duty of candour and associated procedures where applicable.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Management Responsibilities

Management must ensure that:

• sufficient numbers of suitably trained, skilled and competent staff are available to provide shaving assistance safely;
• staff providing shaving assistance have received appropriate instruction, training and competency assessment relevant to the activities they undertake;
• staff understand the principles of consent, mental capacity, dignity, infection prevention and control, safe use and disposal of sharps, incident reporting and safeguarding relevant to shaving assistance;
• staff only undertake shaving assistance within their role, training and competence;
• residents’ personal plans and relevant risk assessments contain sufficient information to enable staff to provide shaving support safely and in accordance with individual preferences;
• changes in a resident’s condition, medication, skin integrity, ability, behaviour or preferences are appropriately assessed and reflected in their personal plan where necessary;
• appropriate shaving equipment and supplies are available and maintained safely; and
• staff practice is monitored through supervision, competency review, incident review and other quality-assurance arrangements.

4.2 Staff Responsibilities

• Ensuring shaving is performed safely, respectfully, and in line with resident preferences.
• Reporting any skin issues, injuries, or safeguarding concerns.
• Following strict infection control measures when handling shaving equipment.

4.3 Resident and Family Responsibilities

• Communicating personal grooming preferences to staff.
• Reporting any concerns or discomfort with shaving assistance.
• Arranging external barber services where preferred.

5. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Infection Prevention and Control Policy​
• Dignity and Respect Policy​
• Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Neglect Policy​

6. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where required following:

• a change in legislation or regulations;
• revised Welsh Government statutory guidance;
• revised Care Inspectorate Wales requirements or inspection guidance;
• revised Public Health Wales or other applicable national infection prevention and control guidance;
• relevant changes to professional or evidence-based practice;
• a significant incident, safeguarding concern or learning identified through investigation;
• changes to the needs of individuals using the service; or
• evidence from audit, complaints, feedback or quality monitoring indicating that the policy is no longer effective or up to date.

The service provider must ensure that this policy remains appropriate to the needs of individuals, consistent with the service’s Statement of Purpose, aligned with current legislation and national guidance, and kept up to date.

The Registered Manager is responsible for implementing this policy within the service and ensuring staff understand and follow it. The Responsible Individual must maintain appropriate oversight of the service’s compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

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