HS221 Children washed when soiled

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Criterion HS221 Guidance

Criterion HS221

Children are washed when they are soiled or pose a health risk to themselves or others.

Guidance

How to show you are complying

If a child is sick or has had a toileting accident, has vomited or has become extremely dirty in some way you must wash them using the body wash facilities. Taking prompt action to wash a child will reduce the risk of any infectious materials being spread and will make sure the child is comfortable and clean.

Make sure you follow the procedure for using these facilities to keep things safe, hygienic, and respectful.

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How we assess compliance

Questions we are likely to ask

What steps do you take to wash a child if they have soiled themselves?

Tools to help you comply

The tools below are here to support you, but you do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your service.

Wash down guidelines – HealthEd

Why is this important?

Children sometimes need to have all, or part of their bodies washed. Usually this is only needed if a child has had a toileting accident, has been sick or has become extremely dirty in some way. It keeps children comfortable, prevents the spread of germs, and supports their overall wellbeing.

Best practice: Going beyond compliance

Doing more than the minimum can shape better outcomes for children. Here are some ideas or examples you might like to consider.

Respecting the child’s privacy

When you're changing a nappy or washing a child, it's important to think about their need for privacy. You can do this by using calm, respectful language and ensuring the child feels safe and comfortable. Every interaction is a chance to build trust and show care.