Physical contact

Workers should keep each other accountable in the area of physical contact, and the culture of the organisation should encourage workers to feel comfortable to constructively challenge each other on anything which could be misunderstood, misconstrued or that isn't in line with the organisation’s code of conduct or guidance.

All physical contact should be:

• In public (a hug in the context of a group is different from a hug behind closed doors).
• Age-appropriate.
• Initiated by the person rather than the worker.
• Workers should avoid any physical contact, touch, or activity that may be sexually stimulating or seen as potentially sexualised or provocative.

Concerns about abuse should always be reported.

Things to consider

When giving first aid or applying sun cream, workers should encourage the child or adult to do what they can themselves, only giving appropriate help where necessary.

Intimate or personal care should only be provided by those workers who are authorised by your organisation to do so and who have the relevant level of criminal record check and training.