1. Visit Emma and her parent / guardian to ask them about what her personal care requirements are

GOOD ANSWER!

Dignity Safety Communication

Emma and her parent or guardian can tell you what is appropriate and what is not. They can also show you the technique which best suits them - this will help you avoid 'manhandling' which makes everyone feel awkward.

The advice of young people and parents should always be respected and followed as long as it is safe to do so.

Talking to Emma means that you are not making assumptions about what she is comfortable with. Make sure that Emma's view is not drowned out by her parents' habits or opinions - sometimes even parents do not respect the wishes of their children.

Capacity

It is up to you to judge what your capacity is to support young people's personal care. It might occupy staff for 15 minutes at a time, so you need to ensure that there are enough staff not engaged in personal care to maintain a safe environment.

2. Designate a female member of staff to look after Emma's personal care

YOU CAN DO BETTER!

DignitySafetyCapacity

Have you stopped to consider how vulnerable Emma is making herself? It may be that Emma trusts or feels at ease with some members of staff more than others.

Do not assume that because it is safe it is ok.

If you haven't asked Emma and her parent / guardian to show you what works best, than you risk doing Emma harm by mishandling her.

It  is up to you to judge what your capacity is to support young people's personal care. It might occupy staff for 15 minutes at a time, so you need to ensure that there are enough staff not engaged in personal care to maintain a safe environment.

 Communication

You haven't asked Emma! So there's no points here...

3. Don't worry - there's always a member of staff available to help people with toileting

YOU'RE ASKING FOR TROUBLE!

Dignity Communication

Personal care is important and cannot be taken lightly. Your relaxed approach does not give Emma the dignity of having her requirements taken seriously.

If your planning is not sufficient, you could place Emma in situations where her dignity is further compromised.

Safety Capacity

Imagine that Emma requires personal care during a session and the only staff member available is male. Or a female that she does not trust.

Or imagine that because you haven't planned sufficiently, the rest of the group is not staffed properly while Emma is receiving personal care. This could put both at risk.

4. Explain to Emma and her parent / guardian that she will require a PA as staff cannot support her personal care requirements

IN AN IDEAL WORLD...

Dignity Safety Capacity

As long as Emma has been able to choose her personal assistant, then she retains dignity and control in her personal care arrangements. Bear in mind that having a PA around the whole time can be intrusive for Disabled young people and that not all Disabled young people have PAs. They should be used to promote young people's inclusion - not as an excuse for excluding them.

Personal assistants should always be CRB-checked and trained, as well as receiving information from Emma and her parents about what their personal care requirements are.

Communication

Fine if you've talked to Emma about it. It's possible that Emma feels her personal care requirements are such that staff could easily cover them safely, and she would prefer not to have someone at her beck and call the whole time.