Personal Care and Relationships

1. Physical Contact

Carers must provide a level of care, including physical contact, which demonstrates warmth, friendliness and respect for children.

Physical contact should be given in a manner which is safe, protective and avoids the arousal of sexual expectations, feelings or in any way which reinforces sexual stereotypes.

2. Intimate Care

Children must be supported and encouraged to undertake bathing, showers and other intimate care without relying on carers.

3. Bedrooms

Each child over 3 will have their own bedroom or, where this is not possible, the sharing of the bedroom will have been agreed by the placing authority and the foster carers' supervising social worker must have conducted a risk assessment and any arrangements must be outlined in the child's Placement Plan.

Children should be encouraged to personalise their bedrooms, with posters, pictures and personal items of their choice.

Children of an appropriate age and level of understanding should be encouraged and supported to purchase furniture, equipment or decorations. For older children this should be part of a plan to prepare the child for independence.

Children's rooms should be kept in good structural repair and be clean and tidy. The furniture should conform to standards of flame retardant materials as advised by trading standards.

Children's privacy should be respected. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, carers should knock the on door before entering children's bedrooms; and then only enter with their permission. The exceptional circumstances where carers / residential staff may have to enter a child's bedroom without asking permission include:

• To wake a heavy sleeper, undertake cleaning, return clean or remove soiled clothing; though, in these circumstances, the child should have been told/warned that this may be necessary;
• To take necessary action, including forcing entry, to protect the child or others from injury or to prevent likely damage to property. N.B. The taking of such action is a form of Physical Intervention.

4. Puberty and Sexual Identity

Carers must adopt a non-judgemental attitude toward children, particularly as they mature and develop an awareness of their bodies and sexuality.

Similarly carers must adopt the a non-judgemental approach to children who explore or are confused about their sexual identity, gender or who have decided to embrace a particular lifestyle so long as it is not abusive or illegal.

5. Pornography

The use of online filters can help to ensure that younger children do not accidentally access pornographic or sexual images online. See UK Safer Internet for more information.

Older young people are likely to be curious about sex and relationships and may search for online for pornographic or sexual material. It is important that carers have an open discussion with young people about pornographic images and the impact that viewing these can have on young people and their own developing relationships. The NSPCC have produced comprehensive guidance for parents and carers on how to talk to young people about online porn and healthy relationships.

6. Sexual Activity

Children under the age of 13 not capable in law of giving consent to sexual activity. Therefore, children of this age who engage in sexual activity must be referred under the West Yorkshire Consortium Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures (as a Child Protection Referral).

Where children aged 13 - 18 are placed together with no identified risk of exploitative or abusive behaviour, carers should monitor any developing relationships, sensitively but positively discouraging children from engaging under age sexual relationships.

Any actions taken in this respect will be subject to consultation and must be addressed in Placement Plans.

1. Ensure the basic safety of all the children concerned;
2. Inform the child's social worker and their manager/supervision social worker.

7. Contraception and Pregnancy

Young people who are looked after should be given information on contraceptives.

If a young person is known to be sexually active, the child's social worker, young person and carer should discuss what can be done to minimise risk of pregnancy or infection, including facilitating contact with relevant agencies providing contraceptive advice; such as the Brook Advisory Service.

8. Child Sexual Exploitation

The following should be read in conjunction with relevant West Yorkshire Consortium Procedures, Child Exploitation: Policy, Procedures and Guidance.

Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Boys as well as girls can be sexually exploited.

Foster carers must be aware of and alert to possible indicators of Child Sexual Exploitation and know what to do if they have any concerns.

Any issues related to Child Sexual Exploitation should be addressed in the child's Placement Plan, along with strategies to keep them safe.

Any concerns that a Child in Care is being sexually exploited must be reported to Ofsted (see Notifications of Significant Events Procedure).

9. Menstruation

Young women should be supported and encouraged to keep their own supply of sanitary protection without having to request it from carers.

There should also be adequate provision for the private disposal of used sanitary protection.

10. Enuresis (Bed Wetting) and Encopresis (Soiling)

If it is known or suspected that a child is likely to experience enuresis (bed wetting), encopresis (soiling) or may be prone to smearing it should be discussed openly, with the child if possible, and strategies adopted for managing it; these strategies should be outlined in the child's Placement Plan.

Carers and the child's social worker should consider the reasons for enuresis and encopresis; there may be a variety of reasons but it is likely that such behaviour is symptomatic of anxiety and worries about previous experiences including abuse and neglect.

1. Talk to the child in private, openly but sympathetically;
2. Do not treat it as the fault of the child, or apply any form of sanction;
3. Do not require the child to clear up; arrange for the child to be cleaned and remove then wash any soiled bedding and clothes;
4. Keep a record, either on a dedicated form or in the child's Daily Record;
5. Consider making arrangements for the child to have any supper in good time before bed, and arranging for the child to use the toilet before retiring; also consider arranging for the child to be woken to use the toilet during the night;
6. Consider using mattresses or bedding that can withstand being soiled or wetted.

11. Guidance in Relation to Personal Care and Relationships

This section provides guidance relating to the demonstration of affection, acceptance and reassurance.

The Child's Background and Previous Experiences

The child may have had particular experiences which make it difficult to accept touch from an adult; or the child's experiences may lead to a need for more touch than is acceptable.

It is therefore important for carers to obtain information about the child's background before acting, in any way not just in terms of the use of touch.

If there are particular needs that the child has or if it appears that the child may respond more or less favourably to touch, this must be reflected in the planning process.

Dependent on the age and level of understanding of the child, s/he should be involved in this assessment and planning; and should be encouraged to consent to being touched; or to place conditions on it.

The Child's Culture and Boundaries

The culture or values of the household should be such that touch is encouraged; as a positive and safe way of communicating affection, warmth, acceptance and reassurance.

Carers and children should be encouraged to use touch, positively and safely.

If boundaries or expectations exist for individual children they should be set out in their Care Plan and Placement Plan.

In the absence of any plan or expectation, the following should be taking into consideration:

1. Children who have been subject to physical or sexual abuse may be suspicious or fearful of touch. This is not to say that children who have experienced abuse should not be touched, it may be beneficial for the child to know different, safer and more reliable adults who will not use touch as a form of abuse;
2. For each child, what constitutes an intimate part of the body will vary; but generally speaking it is acceptable to touch children's hands, arms, shoulders. It may be appropriate to hug or cuddle children, or carry or give them 'piggy backs';
3. A fleeting or clumsy touch may confuse a child or may feel uncomfortable or even cause distress. Carers should touch with confidence, and should verbalise their affection, reassurance and acceptance; by touching and making positive comments. For example, by touching a child's arm and saying "Well Done";
4. Where children indicate that touch is unwelcome carers should back off and apologise if necessary;
5. Touch of an equally positive and safe nature is acceptable between carers; demonstrating positive role models for children. Showing that adults can get along and use touch in non abusive or threatening ways;
6. It is also acceptable to talk about how touch feels, about acceptable boundaries and expectations; doing so in 'house meetings' or key worker sessions;
7. Play fighting is no alternative for this. It is unacceptable;
8. The key is for carers to help children experience and benefit from touch, positively and safely; as a way of communicating affection, warmth, acceptance and reassurance.

12. Appropriate Language

The use of foul and abusive language directed towards children is totally inappropriate. Any complaints relating to foul and abusive language will be treated seriously and may lead to disciplinary measures.

13. Friendship and Support

Confidence in and good rapport with carers is a fundamental element in good care practices. Whilst children are in foster care a variety of problems will arise, at times of stress or crisis every child needs an adult to turn to.

Additional Support

Consideration should be given to the need for each child to have an Advocate or Independent Visitor - see Advocacy and Independent Visitors Procedure.

Appropriate support must be provided to all children including those who are refugees or asylum seekers, and those who are disabled children and with communication difficulties.