Support individuals to meet personal care needs

Unit aim

This unit is aimed at those working in a wide range of settings. It provides the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals to meet personal care needs. It covers support the individual to use toilet facilities, maintain personal hygiene and manage their personal appearance.

Outcome 1 Work with individuals to identify their needs and preferences in relation to personal care

1. encourage an individual to communicate their needs, preferences and personal beliefs affecting their personal care

2. establish the level and type of support and individual needs for personal care

3. agree with the individual how privacy will be maintained during personal care.

Outcome 2 Provide support for personal care safely

1. Support the individual to understand the reasons for hygiene and safety precautions

2. use protective equipment, protective clothing and hygiene techniques to minimise the risk of infection

3. explain how to report concerns about the safety and hygiene of equipment or facilities used for personal care

4. describe ways to ensure the individual can summon help when alone during personal care

5. ensure safe disposal of waste materials.

Outcome 3 Support individuals to use the toilet

1. provide support for the individual to use toilet facilities in ways that respect dignity

2. support individual to make themselves clean and tidy after using toilet facilities.

Outcome 4 Support individuals to maintain personal hygiene

1. ensure room and water temperatures meet individual needs and preferences for washing, bathing and mouth care

2. ensure toiletries, materials and equipment are within reach of the individual

3. provide support to carry out personal hygiene activities in ways that maintain comfort, respect dignity and promote active participation.

Outcome 5 Support individuals to manage their personal appearance

1. provide support to enable individual to manage their personal appearance in ways that respect dignity and promote active participation

2. encourage the individual to keep their clothing and personal care items clean, safe and secure.

Outcome 6 Monitor and report on support for personal care

1. seek feedback from the individual and others on how well support for personal care meets the individual’s needs and preferences

2. monitor personal care functions and activities in agreed ways

3. record and report on an individual’s personal care in agreed ways.