Soiling

[Cbnutkin]

Hi I am a foster carer with a child that poos anywhere and everywhere and also likes to hide it. I have filled pants and pjs and bedding covered in smears. He has also gone in the garden!

I need some advice on the way forward to try and help him stop this.

[Robinia]

How old is the child?

[Cbnutkin in reply to Robinia]

9 year old boy.

[Robinia in reply to Cbnutkin]

It could be related to constipation. That definitely needs exploring. Have you been to the GP and got a referral to the local continence team? That’s the first step really. Could be more complicated than that but basically you need proper professional help from a health professional. I work with children in foster care so I would be making a fuss to the social worker and the IRO for them to be applying pressure on health professionals to put good support in place. My son has had reams of health support because I’ve pushed very hard for it. It can be a long drawn out difficult process dealing with this. My son has a psychologist and an OT and has had numerous consultants.

[Cbnutkin in reply to Robinia]

I think that needs to be my next step. SW said he had already been checked for any problems but as you say I need to press a bit deeper. Doctors will be next step.

Thank you

[Lisabradshaw1]

Please speak to yours or the childs social worker. As a foster carer myself there could be more to it they will advise you on how best to help.

[Cbnutkin in reply to Lisabradshaw1]

Already done that but thanks

[Lisabradshaw1 in reply to Cbnutkin]

As much as it can be frustrating but a bin that you can soak things in the bathroom and tell him accidents are ok as long as he's honest and gets changed. This has helped so much with my 8 year old that suffers from chronic constipation that often leaks. Hope you both get the help that's needed.

[Robinia in reply to Lisabradshaw1]

Totally agree with this- the shame it causes deffo exacerbates the problem