Biting is a common behaviour that some young children go through. This is part of some children’s development stage and where they do not yet have the words to communicate their anger, frustration or need. At Clubland Playscheme Limited we follow our positive behaviour policy to promote positive behaviour at all times. Strategies to prevent biting include; sensory activities, adequate resources and a stimulating exciting environment.
However, in the event of a child being bitten the following procedure will be followed: The child who has been bitten will be comforted and checked for any visual injury. First aid will be administered where necessary and an accident form will be completed along with the completion of the skin map to show the area injury. Where appropriate a staff member will discuss the incident with the child to get as much information as possible. The parents of the child who has been bitten will be informed when they collect their child and asked to complete the accident and incident form. For confidentiality purposes and possible conflict the name of the child who has bitten will not be disclosed to the parents.
The child who has caused the bite will be spoken with to determine the reasons why they have bitten and told in terms that they understand that biting (the behaviour and not the child) is unkind, and be shown that it
makes staff and the child who has been bitten upset. The child will be asked to say sorry if developmentally appropriate, or show they are sorry, e.g. through hugging. A staff member will remind the child of the rules and behaviour that is appropriate at Clubland. The child will be encouraged to go back and play. An incident form will be completed and shared with the parents at the end of the child’s session. For confidentiality purposes and possible conflict the name of the child who has been bitten will not be disclosed to the parents.
If a child continues to bite, observations will be carried out to try to distinguish a cause, e.g. tiredness or frustration. Meetings will be held with the child’s parents to develop strategies to prevent the biting behaviour. Parents will be reassured that it is part of a child’s development. In the event of a bite breaking the skin, this can present a risk of infection from bacteria. To reduce the risk of infection, prompt treatment may be needed for both the ‘biter’ and the ‘bitten’. If a child or member of staff sustains a human bite wound where the skin has been broken they will require medical attention in A&E after initial first aid is carried out, this is so the bite can be assessed to identify the severity of it and see if further treatment is needed. If medical attention is required the parent/carers are to be given a copy of the accident form to take to A&E. The supervisor will contact the parents to see how the child is later in the day.