PLEASE NOTE: New Standards Published

April 2011: The Standards no longer apply, Tri.x have published a web enabled version of the new Children’s Homes and Fostering Standards, please follow this link:

www.minimumstandards.org

5. Environment	Size:
Bathrooms and Washing Facilities

	OUTCOME Children’s privacy is respected when washing.
	STANDARD 25
25.1	Baths, showers and toilets are of a number and standard to meet the needs of the children.
25.2	There is at least one toilet for every four children accommodated, with nearby handwashing and drying provision. A toilet that is in a bathroom or shower room is not the only toilet in a home.
25.3	Subject to standard 25.9, both baths and showers are available for children’s use, and there is a minimum of one bath or shower for every five children accommodated.
25.4	Bathrooms, showers and toilets are sited and designed to take account of the children’s needs for privacy, dignity, safety and any disability, and are readily accessible from sleeping and recreational areas of the home. Showers which are not in individual rooms are provided in individual cubicles or fully individually curtained for privacy.
25.5	Bathrooms and toilets are accessible to disabled children in accordance with the home’s Statement of Purpose. Disabled children requiring personal assistance have it provided in a manner which maximises privacy and dignity.
25.6	Staff (not children) are able to open the doors to bathrooms, showers and toilets from the outside in case of emergency.
25.7	In homes accommodating more than 5 children, staff use separate toilet and bathroom or shower facilities to those used by children. In homes accommodating 5 or fewer children, staff may use the same facilities as the children, but there is a clear understanding that they may not use them when children are present.
25.8	Hot water accessible to children under 8, or children with disabilities which place them at risk from excessively hot water, is maintained at no more than 43°C at taps and other outlets accessible to them.
25.9	The above standards apply to schools which are children’s homes except that:
	in boys’ residential units, urinals may be provided instead of no more than two thirds of the required number of toilets there should be a minimum of one bath or shower for every seven children accommodated, but a higher ratio where required by children’s needs.
	This standard is subject to the requirements of the School Premises Regulations 1999 where applicable. [Regulation 31]