If a child needs assistance in the bathroom with wiping, what is the recommended initial step?

If a child needs assistance in the bathroom with wiping, what is the recommended initial step?

• A. Call your manager and ask what to do
• B. Wipe the child yourself without telling anyone
• C. Call the child’s parent immediately
• D. Ignore the request

Answer: (A)

When a child needs assistance with intimate care, the first step is to follow your organization's safeguarding and policy procedures by checking with a supervisor what is permitted. This ensures you act within training, protect the child’s privacy and dignity, and document the action appropriately. It also helps prevent boundary issues or safeguarding concerns by having clear, approved steps. Skipping the proper channel and wiping the child yourself, or contacting a parent immediately without direction, can breach policies and boundaries or create confusion. Ignoring the request would be unsafe and neglectful. So, asking your supervisor what to do first aligns with safety, policy, and professional care.

When a child needs assistance with intimate care, the first step is to follow your organization's safeguarding and policy procedures by checking with a supervisor what is permitted. This ensures you act within training, protect the child’s privacy and dignity, and document the action appropriately. It also helps prevent boundary issues or safeguarding concerns by having clear, approved steps.

Skipping the proper channel and wiping the child yourself, or contacting a parent immediately without direction, can breach policies and boundaries or create confusion. Ignoring the request would be unsafe and neglectful. So, asking your supervisor what to do first aligns with safety, policy, and professional care.