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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Best Practice in Intimate Personal Care Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide clear, professional, and compassionate guidance to staff at {{org_field_name}} on how to support individuals with intimate personal care tasks in a way that is safe, person-centred, and aligned with the highest standards of dignity, privacy, and human rights.

This policy helps staff understand not just how to carry out care tasks, but how to build trust, maintain boundaries, support choice, and create a comfortable, respectful experience for the person being cared for. It reflects the legal and ethical responsibilities placed upon us as a regulated care provider and reinforces our commitment to placing the person at the centre of everything we do.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All care staff and support workers providing personal care
• Team leaders, coordinators, and managers overseeing care delivery
• Relief and agency staff working on behalf of {{org_field_name}}
• Individuals receiving support in their own homes

It covers all aspects of intimate personal care, including:

• Washing, bathing, and showering
• Continence care, toileting, and pad changes
• Menstrual hygiene
• Support with dressing and undressing
• Support with catheter or stoma care (where within staff training and role)
• Assistance with shaving, oral care, and other close-contact hygiene tasks

3. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy
• Person-Centred Care Policy
• Dignity and Respect Policy
• Consent to Care and Treatment Policy
• Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy
• Infection Prevention and Control Policy
• Staff Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries Policy

4. Regulatory and Legal Framework

This policy aligns with:

• Health and Social Care Standards: Particularly
  • 1.3: “If my independence, control and choice are restricted, this complies with relevant legislation and is justified.”
  • 1.4: “If I require intimate personal care, this is carried out in a dignified way, with my privacy and preferences respected.”
  • 1.17–1.25: Covering wellbeing, compassion, choice, and maintaining dignity
• SSSC Codes of Practice (2024)
• Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
• Equality Act 2010
• Human Rights Act 1998

5. Policy Statement

At {{org_field_name}}, we understand that intimate personal care is not just a routine task—it is a deeply personal and potentially vulnerable experience for the individual. Our approach is built on trust, compassion, consent, and clear communication. We treat each individual as a person first, with their own history, values, preferences, and dignity.

We aim to:

• Ensure that intimate care is only delivered with informed consent
• Provide care that is sensitive, unhurried, and respectful
• Promote independence and privacy wherever possible
• Match care staff to individuals based on preferences and comfort
• Support emotional wellbeing alongside physical care
• Recognise and respond to concerns such as discomfort, distress, or safeguarding issues

6. How We Deliver Intimate Personal Care Safely and Respectfully

6.1. Planning and Personalisation

Intimate personal care is planned in collaboration with the person receiving support. During the assessment and personal planning process, we ask the individual:

• What support they need or do not need
• How and when they prefer to receive this support
• Whether they have a gender preference for staff providing the care
• What cultural, spiritual, or religious needs affect their care
• Whether a family member or representative should be involved

All preferences are recorded clearly in the personal support plan, which is reviewed at least every 6 months or more frequently if needs change. We make every effort to match staff based on personal preferences and consistency.

6.2. Obtaining and Respecting Consent

Before delivering any form of personal or intimate care, staff must:

• Seek explicit, informed consent from the person, every time
• Explain what they are about to do in clear, simple language
• Ensure the individual feels safe and in control
• Respect the person’s right to refuse or pause care at any time
• Document any refusal or change of preference

If the person lacks capacity to consent to intimate care, we follow the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, involving appropriate representatives and ensuring care is delivered in the person’s best interests, in the least restrictive manner.

6.3. Dignity, Privacy, and Respect

All intimate personal care must be delivered in a manner that maximises privacy and upholds dignity. This includes:

• Closing doors and blinds before beginning care
• Covering the individual where possible to prevent full exposure
• Explaining each step and never rushing
• Using respectful, age-appropriate, and non-patronising language
• Ensuring that only authorised persons are present during the task
• Empowering the person to do what they can for themselves

Staff are trained to observe and respond to non-verbal cues, as some individuals may feel too embarrassed to voice discomfort. We support people emotionally as well as physically during intimate care.

6.4. Professional Boundaries and Safeguarding

Staff must maintain professional boundaries at all times. Intimate care must be:

• Delivered objectively, without inappropriate familiarity or detachment
• Avoidant of unnecessary contact or exposure
• Recorded factually, avoiding opinion or inappropriate commentary

If a person we support shows signs of distress, anxiety, withdrawal, or makes allegations about previous care experiences, this must be recorded and immediately escalated in line with our Safeguarding Adults Policy. All staff receive training on recognising the signs of potential abuse, including neglect and inappropriate care practices.

6.5. Promoting Independence and Choice

Even in intimate care, the person must be supported to do as much for themselves as they can. We promote:

• Step-by-step prompting before intervening
• Use of adaptive equipment (e.g. bath chairs, grab rails) where appropriate
• Asking the person “Would you like to do this yourself?” at each stage
• Respecting the person’s own routines and techniques

Staff are reminded that taking over a task unnecessarily can be disempowering and may affect confidence, independence, and self-worth.

6.6. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene

Staff must always wear appropriate PPE during intimate care, including:

• Disposable gloves
• Plastic aprons
• Masks or visors if risk of splash or during outbreaks
• Additional PPE if required by infection control protocol

Hygiene and infection control are maintained by:

• Washing hands before and after care
• Using clean towels and disposable wipes
• Cleaning any used equipment and disposing of waste appropriately
• Following Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) as outlined in our Infection Prevention and Control Policy

6.7. Staff Training and Competency

All staff are trained in:

• Delivering intimate care with dignity and respect
• Communicating clearly and sensitively during personal care
• Recognising signs of trauma, distress, or abuse
• Professional boundaries and safeguarding
• Hygiene, PPE use, and infection prevention

Competency is assessed during induction, shadowing, supervision, and spot checks. Any concerns about poor practice are addressed through formal support or disciplinary procedures.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Registered Manager
Has overall responsibility for ensuring that intimate personal care is delivered safely and respectfully, that staff are trained and supported, and that any safeguarding or dignity concerns are addressed without delay.
Support staff in the delivery of intimate care, conduct regular spot checks, gather feedback from people we support, and ensure personal plans are up to date and reflective of current needs.

Care Staff
Are responsible for delivering intimate care in line with this policy, seeking consent, maintaining privacy, and upholding professional conduct at all times.

People We Support
Are entitled to be fully involved in decisions about their personal care, and to have their preferences, rights, and dignity respected in every interaction.

8. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or earlier if:

• There is a change in legislation, guidance, or regulation
• A safeguarding or dignity-related incident occurs
• Feedback from people we support, staff, or inspectors suggests the need for revision

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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}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.