Spotlight on Prevention: Best Practices for Body Checks
www.justicecenter.ny.gov
SENSITIVITY SKILLS SUGGESTED PRACTICES
Body checks used to determine the presence of marks or injuries on people receiving services are an invasive process that should be conducted in a respectful and supportive way. The list below is provided to support training and practicing of sensitivity skills for body checks and other direct care tasks. ENVIRONMENT
ASK PERMISSION Ask permission before beginning the body check. For example, “I’d like to take your shirt off so I can do your body check. Is that okay with you?” OFFER CHOICES Offer choices. For example, “Would you like to take your shirt off or do you want help?” or “I can help with that now or we can wait until Chris is free if you prefer.”
Conduct the body check in a private and comfortable room. Choose a location that is separate from other people receiving services and has a door that can be closed. KNOW THE PERSON Complete all training on plans of care for people receiving services so staff is familiar with their background, diagnosis, strengths, needs, experiences, preferences, and accessibility needs. KNOW YOURSELF Be aware of your own personal biases, triggers, comfort with the person and/or their diagnoses to maintain a therapeutic approach. EXPLAIN THE PROCESS Let the person know you value and respect them. Tell the person what you are doing or planning to do before beginning the body check. For example, “I heard you just fell. It’s important that we check your body to know if you hurt yourself.”
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