Policy details

• Date created - 03/11/2023
• Date reviewed - xx/xx/xxxx
• Date approved - xx/xx/xxxx
• Next review date - 02/11/2024
• Policy owner - Emma Vasey

1. Introduction
2. Aim
3. Hygiene
4. Personal Protective Equipment
5. Monitoring and Review

Introduction

It is important that staff follow the correct principles of personal hygiene, as it reduces the likelihood of spreading infections around the school. This should reduce the impact of illnesses spreading and improve overall attendance of both staff and children. Children will also follow the example set to them by their carers, so adults should lead by example.

Aim

 Co-op Academy Penny Oaks is committed to providing and promoting a clean and hygienic environment to safeguard the physical and emotional well-being of all children and visitors to the school.

·  Safeguard the health and well-being of children and visitors in school by maintaining a hygienic environment, preventing unnecessary spread of infection and raising children’s awareness of good hygiene practices (leading by example).

·  Ensure that all staff are aware of and have access to our hygiene policy and procedures.

·  Ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities in relation to hygiene and all new staff will be made familiar with hygiene protocols in their induction.

·  Ensure staff are kept up to date with the latest information and advice from local authority health services and/or other health agencies.

  Hygiene

 ·  Staff are expected to maintain personal cleanliness and oral hygiene by regular washing and teeth brushing.

·   Keep fingernails clean, neat and trimmed to an appropriate length for the job role being completed.

·  Washing hands regularly throughout the day or using hand sanitiser where it isn’t practical to access soap and water.

· Any cuts or open wounds are appropriately cleaned, and dressed with a waterproof covering. Where possible, this should be carried out by staff with relevant first-aid certificates. Staff should always wear disposable gloves to do this.

·  Depending on the needs of the job role, long hair may need to be secured to prevent potential health & safety issues.

·  It is recommended to wash hands:

- After using the toilet

- Before eating

- After assisting children using the toilet

- After giving any first aid

- After wiping children’s noses

- Before and after changing soiled clothes

- After dealing with any spillages

- On arrival at work and on departing for home.

Personal Protective Equipment

·  Personal/Protective safety equipment must be always worn in areas where such equipment is required, such as first aid or assisting a child with toileting.

·  Any spills of bodily fluids to be wiped up and disposed of in the appropriate clinical waste bags. Disposable gloves should always be used when cleaning up spills of body fluids and disposed of in the appropriate clinical waste bags. Floors and other affected surfaces should be disinfected using suitable cleaning products diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Fabrics contaminated with body fluids should be thoroughly washed in hot water.

· All clinical waste – e.g. disposable nappies, wipes – will be disposed of in appropriate black and yellow clinical waste bags.

Monitoring and Review

This policy runs alongside other school policies, particularly Safeguarding Children, Intimate Care and the Health and Safety policy.