Managing toileting problems in primary schools

It’s natural to worry that your child will be turned away from school if they have wetting or soiling problems or still wear nappies or pull-ups, but this is unlawful.

The Equality Act 2010 states that schools must not discriminate against or disadvantage disabled children or those with special educational needs. A delay in achieving continence is considered a disability, so schools cannot refuse or delay admission to children who are not yet clean or dry.

The Children and Families Act 2014 also requires schools to support pupils with medical conditions, including bladder and bowel problems.

‘I was really worried that Alex wouldn’t be allowed to continue at school if he pooed his pants, as I’d heard that children had to be fully toilet trained before starting,’ says Hayley, mum to Alex, Year 2.*

‘This kept me from contacting the school about his issues in advance, as I hoped they would resolve before he started, but his teacher was very relaxed about it and told me not to worry as they’d dealt with similar problems before.’

It’s a widely believed myth that school staff aren’t allowed to change children’s nappies, pull-ups or underwear, but this isn’t true.

Neither are schools required to provide two staff members to help a child who needs changing. ‘In fact, this is actively discouraged, so schools should not refuse to change or clean a child if only one member of staff is available to leave the classroom,’ Brenda explains.

‘For safeguarding reasons, staff should make sure another member of staff is aware that they are going to change a child, and is in the vicinity and visible or audible.

‘It’s also good practice to ensure that all aspects of continence care in school are documented in advance, for instance using an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP), making sure parental consent is obtained for named carers to help with intimate care.’

Bear in mind that individual staff members can refuse to help change children who have wet or soiled themselves. ‘It’s the school’s responsibility to identify members of staff who will attend to children’s continence needs,’ Brenda adds.

Generally, it’s poor practice for schools to ask parents to come in to change their child after they've wet or soiled themselves.

The Department for Education's statutory guidance on supporting pupils at school with medical conditions states schools should not require parents, or otherwise make them feel obliged, to attend school to administer medication or provide medical support to their child, including with toileting issues.

‘It’s also tantamount to abuse to leave a child in wet or soiled underwear until their parent or guardian can come in to change them,’ adds Brenda.

‘My daughter suffers from chronic constipation and soiling, so I was concerned about what would happen if she had an accident at school,’ says Jemma, mum to Chloe, Year 4.*

‘But I spoke to the teacher and TA at the beginning of term, and they were sympathetic and sought to support my daughter by reminding her to drink water and go to the toilet, and I was never called in to deal with accidents.’

Hayley agrees. ‘I’m a stay-at-home mum and live near the school so I offered to go into school to deal with any accidents, but I was never asked to,’ she says.

The Children and Families Act 2014 says schools have a statutory duty to support children with health conditions, including bowel and bladder problems.

Measures that could be put in place might include:

• Having a policy setting out how the school will approach toileting. There should be a system in place for meeting all children’s needs; if the blanket toileting policy doesn’t cover your child’s issues, you may be asked to provide parental consent for any changes.
• Providing spare clothes in the case of occasional accidents, and notifying you at the end of the day that your child has had a mishap.
• Working with parents to identify appropriate protection/containment such as incontinence pads or washable absorbent pants; schools shouldn’t put pressure on parents or carers to send their child in wearing a nappy 'just in case.’
• Giving the child a 'toilet card' or similar that allows them to go to the toilet whenever they need to. The school may ask for a signed letter from a health professional stating that they have a condition that means they need a toilet pass.’
• Providing children with ongoing problems with an Individual Healthcare Plan. This is essential to ensure their needs are sensitively and effectively, and that all people responsible for the child understand their needs.

You can help by providing your child with changes of clothes and spare continence products, if they need them, to be kept at school.

As they get older, you can encourage them to become more independent in how they deal with their continence issues, although they should still be helped if and when they need it.

‘I would suggest speaking to the teacher or TA at the beginning of term: arrange a specific meeting away from the playground,’ advises Jemma.

‘Get a written agreement in place that sets out the support your child might need, such as being prompted to go to the toilet after lunch.’

It’s worth bearing in mind that there’s no legislation against schools refusing toilet access, for example during lessons. However, in the early years of primary school it’s reasonable to allow children to use the toilet whenever they need to.

Older children who have known issues should also be allowed free access to the toilets, possibly using a toilet pass as described above.

Most primary schools also allow children to drink water freely throughout the day, and this should be encouraged: not drinking enough water can cause and aggravate problems with the bladder and bowel.

ERIC provides free resources and information that can be used by schools, and by parents to encourage schools to improve their policies and facilities. This includes a comprehensive Help at School section, and a template Individual Healthcare Plan.

You can also access support on their helpline (0845 370 8008) or by email.