Design note 4 - what do we mean?
In addition to the similarities between our new icon and the real Northern Lights, we particularly liked some of the themes the Northern Lights icon represented, namely:
In addition to the similarities between our new icon and the real Northern Lights, we particularly liked some of the themes the Northern Lights icon represented, namely:
To complement our dynamic new Northern Lights icon, we needed a strong colour pallette and confident, contemporary font.
The contrasting yet complimentary colours in our logo symbolises our value of diversity and unity. We often talk about 'the same but different' at Beckfoot Trust to acknowledge that whilst we have a very clear One Trust identity and clarity on what remarkable means, we also know that one size does not always fit all.
Perhaps the most important part of our new Beckfoot Trust logo is the icon, shown to the right here.
We call it our Northern Lights.
In nature, the Northern Lights are seen as something unique and truly Remarkable that are associated with the North.
Our Northern Lights icon represents The Beckfoot Trust which is also on a constant journey to Remarkable and is strongly associated with the North of England.
As part of our ongoing Journey to Remarkable we felt it was important to give The Beckfoot Trust a strong, confident and contemporary logo and brand that was worthy of an organisation with such high standards and aspirations.
The new Trust logo was a departure from the previous logo style and was definitely designed with the future in mind.
1.1 All learners need open access to clean, well-stocked and safe toileting provision and some learners do require assistance from members of staff for personal care, including toileting, either due to the age and developmental level of the student, or as a result of disability or medical needs including for example, catheterisation.
1.2 Beckfoot Trust is committed to ensuring that all staff responsible for intimate care of children and young people will undertake their duties in a professional manner at all times.
1.3 Beckfoot Trust takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in its care.
1.4 Beckfoot Trust recognises its duties and responsibilities in relation to the Equality Act 2010 which requires that any child with an impairment that affects his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities must not be discriminated against.
1.5 We recognise that there is a need for children and young people to be treated with respect when intimate care is given.
1.6 No child shall be attended to in a way that causes distress, embarrassment, or pain.
1.7 Staff will work in close partnership with parents and carers to share information and provide continuity of care.
2.1 Intimate care is defined as any care which involves washing, touching or carrying out an invasive procedure that most children and young people carry out for themselves, but which some are unable to do. Children with disabilities may be unable to meet their own care needs for a variety of reasons and will require regular support.
Care may involve help with drinking, eating, dressing and toileting. Help may also be needed with changing colostomy bags and other such equipment. It may also require the administration of rectal medicine.
2.2 The Intimate care policy aims to provide a clear framework for staff to ensure the safety and dignity of all learners when using the toilet and for those who need support with personal care, including toileting and continence management. It will also clarify for learners and their families the support they can expect from school.
Achieving continence is one of the many developmental milestones usually reached within the context of learning before a child transfers to nursery. However, we know this isn’t always the case, therefore this policy also applies to more regular nappy changing within a 2, 3 or 4 year old nursery.
When reading this policy please be aware of and refer to the following related documents:
Beckfoot Trust respects our learners and encourages them to achieve their potential. This includes encouraging them to be as independent as they are able with their personal care. We will ensure that our learners are:
3.3.1 The Governors and staff of Beckfoot Trust recognise that children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to all forms of abuse.
3.3.2 Child Protection and Multi-Agency Child Protection procedures will be adhered to at all times.
3.3.3 If a member of staff has any concerns about physical changes in a child’s presentation (unexplained marks, bruises or soreness for example) they will immediately report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). This is also the case if a child comes in to school in a unhygienic state, where it is obvious the child’s toileting needs have not been attended to.
3.3.4 If a child becomes distressed or unhappy about being cared for a particular member of staff, the matter will be investigated at an appropriate level and outcomes recorded.
3.3.5 Parents/carers will be contacted at the earliest opportunity as part of the process of reaching a resolution. Further advice will be taken from partner agencies.
3.3.6 If a child makes an allegation about a member of staff this will be investigated in accordance with the school’s safeguarding procedures.
3.4.1 All staff engaged in the care and education of children and young people need to exercise caution in the use of physical contact. Staff must be aware that even well-intentioned contact might be misconstrued by the child or an observer. Staff must always be prepared to justify actions and accept that all physical contact is open to scrutiny. The Trust Care and Control Policy should be read in conjunction wit this section. The expectation is that when staff make physical contact with children it ill be:
3.4.2 Arrangements must be understood and agreed by all concerned, justified in terms of the child’s needs and consistently applied and open to scrutiny. Where possible, consultation with colleagues should take place where any deviation from arrangements is anticipated.
3.4.3 Any deviation from the agreed plan must be documented and reported.
4.1.1 To ensure there are appropriate toileting facilities to meet the needs of all their learners, including those with bladder and bowel health issues.
4.1.2 To ensure that sufficient staff are trained to meet the needs of their learners.
4.2.1 We will work with the whole Trust School community to ensure access to clean, well-stocked, private and safe toilet and hygiene facilities for all. These facilities must also be friendly hygiene spaces, where children feel comfortable.
4.2.2 We will work with learners, parents/carers and health care professionals to promote bladder and bowel health and maximum possible continence.
4.2.3 Where learners are not able to be fully continent, we will ensure that an intimate care plan/manual handling plan or similar is written to ensure their needs are clarified and met. The learner and parents/carer will be included in discussions about the plan, unless this is clearly inappropriate, as will their family. Relevant healthcare professionals may also be consulted. The plan will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if the learner’s needs change.
4.2.4 Trust Schools will ensure that anyone who undertakes intimate care is an employee of the Trust Schools and has had appropriate safeguarding checks. Only those staff trained in intimate care will be involved in providing support with intimate care to a learner. Trust Schools will ensure that sufficient staff are trained and available to provide the required support in all foreseeable circumstances. If, in exceptional circumstances, if no trained staff members for an individual are available, Trust Schools will contact the family for consent to involve a different member of staff.
4.2.5 Only in an emergency would staff undertake intimate care that has not been agreed with the parents/carers. This act of care would be reported to a senior member of Trust Schools staff and to the parents/carers as soon as possible after the event. The reasons for this and the care undertaken would be documented by the staff member who had delivered the care.
4.2.6 A written record will be kept of all support with intimate care. This will include the date and time of the care, who was present, and any care given that has differed from the plan, together with the reason for this. Any changes in the learner’s behaviour or appearance will be documented and reported to a senior member of staff, in line with the safeguarding policy. Written records will be regularly checked by a Named Person within school.
4.2.7 Staff will communicate carefully with learners, using their usual communication method, to discuss their needs and preferences. Wherever possible the learner’s wishes and preferences will be taken into account.
4.2.8 Trust Schools will take into account the religious views, beliefs and cultural values of the learner and their family, as well as the learners gender identification and individual physical needs (e.g. periods, catheterisation, stoma care etc) as far as possible in provision of appropriate toileting facilities and when undertaking or supporting required individual personal care.
4.2.9 Trust Schools will work with all learners to promote positive self-esteem and body image and independence with self-care as far as is appropriate and practical.
4.2.10 Trust Schools will ensure that all staff are aware of the need for confidentiality. Personal and sensitive information will only be shared with those who need to know.
4.2.11 Trust Schools will act according to the safeguarding policy and procedures if there are any concerns for the learner’s wellbeing.
4.2.12 Trust Schools will arrange moving and handling training for any staff involved with the moving and handling of pupils for their intimate care. These records must be kept by the school.
4.2.13 Trust Schools will ensure that any members of staff who are carrying out delegated medical tasks, related to intimate care, have received the appropriate training and have been deemed competent by a healthcare professional. These records must be kept by the school and a named member of staff must regularly check these logs.
4.3.1 Parents/carers must ensure that they provide all relevant information to Trust Schools, as soon as possible, so that the needs of their child can be met. This includes the nature of their child’s needs, details of any healthcare professionals involved including specialist nurses, as well as any changes in their medication, care or condition.
4.3.2 Parents/carers must ensure that they work towards their child achieving the maximum possible level of independence at home.
4.3.3 Parents/carers should work with Trust Schools to develop and agree an intimate care plan/manual handling plan or other plan.
4.3.4 Parents/carers must make sure that Trust Schools always has required products available for their child’s intimate care or toileting needs.
4.3.5 Parents/carers must ensure that Trust Schools always has their emergency contact details.
This policy will be reviewed annually and as guidance from the local authority or DfE is updated. At every review, the policy will be approved by the Trust Board.