1.1 Identify current legislation, national guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols in relation to undertaking personal hygiene activities with individuals

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Identify current legislation, national guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols in relation to undertaking personal hygiene activities with individuals.

Several UK laws guide personal hygiene support in health and social care. These laws protect people’s rights, promote dignity, and maintain safety for workers and individuals receiving care.

Key laws include:

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
Care Act 2014
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Equality Act 2010
Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR)

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

This law requires providers to meet “fundamental standards” of care. These standards are legal requirements. Every care service must meet them.

Regulations relevant to personal hygiene:

Regulation 9: Person-centred care
Workers need to involve the person in decisions about their hygiene.
Regulation 10: Dignity and respect
Privacy and dignity must be respected when helping with washing, bathing, or toileting.
Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment
Hygiene tasks must prevent infection and avoid harm.
Regulation 13: Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment
People must be safe from harm or degrading treatment.

Care Act 2014

The Care Act places duties on local authorities and care providers:

Promote well-being
Prevent abuse and neglect
Involve individuals (and families) in care decisions

This means personal hygiene support must promote dignity and well-being. There is a legal right to involvement in one’s care, including how and when hygiene activities happen.

Mental Capacity Act 2005

This law applies for those who may lack mental capacity (ability to make some decisions).

Principles include:

Assume capacity unless proven otherwise
Support decision-making as much as possible
Decisions must be in the person’s “best interests” if they lack capacity

In hygiene activities, this means asking for consent, giving clear information, and involving someone as fully as possible. If someone cannot decide, workers must act in their “best interests.”

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act protects people from discrimination. This includes care settings.

Support must:

Avoid harassment or unfair treatment around protected characteristics (e.g. race, disability, age, religion, sex, gender reassignment)
Make reasonable adjustments for disabled people (for example, accessible bathrooms, communication aids)

During personal hygiene care, workers must respect differences and adjust practices for individual needs.

Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR)

This law controls use of personal data. Personal hygiene activities involve processing information about a person’s health and needs.

Rules include:

Only use or share information with clear consent, or a legal reason
Keep sensitive information secure

Personal hygiene plans, records, and notes are confidential. Only involved staff should see them.

National Guidelines

UK national guidelines offer instructions on best practices that keep people safe. They help health and social care workers provide care that is based on good evidence.

Key guidelines include:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines
Public Health England (PHE) guidance
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) guidance
Skills for Care guidance

NICE Guidelines

NICE publishes best practice guidance for care. On personal hygiene, relevant guidelines focus on infection prevention, person-centred care, and managing specific needs.

NICE guidance suggests:

Supporting dignity and independence during washing, bathing, mouth care, and toileting
Using correct infection prevention techniques (like hand washing, use of personal protective equipment, and safe disposal of waste)
Explaining actions and gaining permission before touching or supporting the person

NICE provides clear, simple recommendations for best practice.

Public Health England (PHE) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Guidance

PHE (now part of UKHSA) gives advice on infection control in care settings.

Key hygiene topics include:

Effective hand hygiene
Use of gloves and aprons for certain tasks
Safe handling of laundry and waste
Cleaning bathrooms and equipment

Guidance on infectious diseases (like COVID-19 or norovirus) often includes extra rules for hygiene, such as use of masks or isolation areas.

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Guidance

The DHSC produces national social care guidelines. For personal hygiene, this often covers:

Policy on use of PPE (personal protective equipment)
Decontamination and cleaning routines
Guidance for specific support needs (e.g., guidance for supporting people with learning disabilities)

Skills for Care Guidance

Skills for Care sets standards for care worker practice and skills.

This covers:

Supporting personal care with respect and sensitivity
Speaking clearly and giving choices
Using approved techniques and following up-to-date procedures

Many homes use Skills for Care advice for staff training.

Organisational Policies

Every care setting should have its own policies for personal hygiene support. These policies explain how national law and guidance will be applied in that setting.

Topics covered can include:

Personal hygiene routines (e.g., bathing, oral care, hair care)
Gaining consent and respecting choice
Dignity and privacy standards
Infection prevention
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Reporting concerns or safeguarding issues
Recording activities and incidents

Policies provide clear steps for daily practice.

Example: Bathing and Personal Care Policy

A typical policy may outline:

Checking the care plan for personal preferences and needs
Talking through each step with the individual
Making sure privacy is protected (closing doors, using towels, seeking permission)
Using correct PPE at each stage
Checking water temperature to avoid scalds
Monitoring for skin problems, and reporting changes
Ensuring all equipment is cleaned after use
Disposing of waste as per infection control rules

Workers are expected to know and follow these details at all times.

Organisational Procedures

Procedures are detailed written steps to follow for tasks. They help ensure that care is delivered consistently.

Procedures can cover:

Safe use of bathrooms and support equipment (e.g., hoists, bathing chairs)
Correct order for hand washing and PPE use
Steps for oral hygiene support (tooth brushing, denture care)
Cleaning and storing personal care items
Supporting shaving, hair care, or nail care
Dealing with incontinence or menstruation
Reporting and recording any changes in health or skin condition

Procedures aim to reduce risks and support well-being.

Example: Hand Washing Procedure

Hand washing is one of the most important procedures in personal care.

Steps include:

Wet hands under running water.
Apply enough soap.
Rub hands, including between fingers and under nails, for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse well.
Dry hands with a disposable towel.
Turn off tap with the towel.

Workers follow this step by step before and after any personal care task.

Protocols

Protocols set out agreed methods for specific situations. They are based on laws, evidence, and expert guidance.

Some examples for personal hygiene:

Dealing with infectious outbreaks (e.g., extra cleaning, barrier nursing)
Responding to a person refusing personal hygiene support (e.g., checking capacity, reporting, offering choice)
Protocol for safeguarding concerns if evidence of neglect or abuse is found during care

Protocols are used when there is a risk or a need for a safe, agreed response.

Practical Examples

Personal hygiene can cover a wide range of activities. Each is affected by the rules described.

Washing and Bathing

Always offer choice about when and how washing happens.
Explain each step, check the person is comfortable.
Respect privacy with towels, screens, closed doors.
Use PPE as per infection policy.
Record when care is given and report any problems (red skin, sore areas, bruises).

Oral Hygiene

Check any swallowing or choking risks first.
Use appropriate equipment.
Clean dentures, rinse mouth as required.
Record any bleeding, swelling, or pain and inform a senior.

Shaving, Hair and Nail Care

Use the person’s own shampoo, soap, shaving kit, or nail clippers when possible.
Explain and gain consent.
Watch for cuts or skin irritation, report if found.
Disinfect any reusable equipment after use.

Continence and Toileting

Offer help as required but promote as much independence as possible.
Respect dignity (covering the person, privacy in the toilet).
Wear gloves and apron.
Dispose of waste safely.
Clean up and wash hands thoroughly.

Why These Rules Matter

Using laws, guidelines, and clear procedures in day-to-day care:

Protects the person’s dignity, rights, and preferences
Prevents harm and infection
Supports trust and choice
Helps workers show professional skills

These rules create a safe and respectful environment, improving the person’s experience.

Final Thoughts

Understanding and applying the correct legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures, and protocols means you provide safer, more respectful support for each person you care for. This is a key part of high-quality health and social care.