1. Our approach

At TARKA, children are always treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect. We work with parents to understand each child’s needs, respect their cultural and religious values, and support their growing independence.

2. What we mean by personal and intimate care

Type of care	What it means
Personal care	Help that does not involve intimate parts of the body, such as comforting a child, helping them put on a coat or shoes, or supporting them while they eat
Intimate care	Help with personal hygiene, going to the toilet, or changing clothes after an accident, which may involve contact with or exposure of intimate areas
Clinical care	Medical procedures authorised by a health professional, such as managing a feeding tube. We treat these as intimate care

Instructors do not cut children’s nails or hair, check for head lice, or paint children’s nails.

3. Toileting

• Every child attending a drop-off session must be toilet trained and out of nappies. We do not provide or change nappies. If a child in a drop-off session still wears a nappy, a parent or carer must stay on site.
• At sessions where parents stay, parents take care of their own child’s toileting and nappy changing.
• Instructors supervise and support children who go to the toilet. We do not use potties, to reduce the risk of infection.
• If a child has an accident, an instructor helps them to change, using spare clothes where available, and tells the parent.

4. Keeping children and instructors safe

• Only instructors whose DBS check has come back satisfactory, and who have completed their induction, help with toileting or intimate care.
• Every instructor who gives intimate care must understand and follow our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
• We protect the child’s privacy and dignity while keeping safe supervision. Another instructor is always aware, and the door is left ajar.
• Wherever possible, the instructor asks the child’s permission, explains what they are doing, and encourages the child to do as much as they can for themselves.
• Instructors wear disposable gloves and aprons when dealing with bodily fluids, and dispose of them safely.
• Any marks or injuries noticed during intimate care are recorded and reported to the DSL.

5. Clinical care

If a child needs a clinical procedure, we will only agree to it after meeting with the parents and seeing written instructions from the child’s doctor or health professional, such as a healthcare plan. Any instructor involved must be trained by a health professional and judged competent before carrying it out.

6. Holding a child

In exceptional circumstances, an instructor may need to hold a child to stop them hurting themselves or others. This is only ever done as a last resort, in a gentle and non-intimate way, as explained in our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy.

Next update: September 2027