CCTV Monitoring Systems in Care Homes…

CCTV Monitoring Systems

Over the recent months we have been gathering information and consulting with our staff and residents regarding the use of CCTV in and around our services.

The reason for this and our primary aim is to protect and safeguard the people who live, work and visit our services.

We aim to install CCTV systems in all of our homes over the next 12 months. The system of recording is public and unconcealed, the cameras will be on display. There will not be any introduction of covert CCTV.

As with any monitoring system that may be new and with the case of CCTV, people may be concerned that their privacy is not being respected or have other areas where they may or may not become uneasy regarding monitoring exercises.

Transparency is important, therefore we aim to inform people that there are surveillance cameras within our homes. We will be including this on our website, on notices within the homes, and at the front entrance to the homes.

If you are visiting our page today and would like to raise any points or ask a question then we would welcome this and invite you to use the ‘contact us’ page whereupon I will get back to you as soon as possible.

In the meantime these FAQ may be able to answer some thoughts you may have:

Q: How will I know which services have CCTV?

A: Each service will display a Privacy Notice in prominent positions on the outside of the building before you enter.

Q: Will there be cameras in peoples bedrooms?

A: No, there will not be any cameras in sleeping areas, bathrooms or toilets.

Q: Who will see the recordings?

A: The information, recordings and access to information will be managed at Director level. The information can and will be used if deemed appropriate if an incident or accident occurs and the information recorded is vital to the investigation.

Q: How long will they be kept for?

A: The recordings will be kept for a period of 2 weeks. If it is felt that this time needs to be extended due to the nature of the changing needs of the service then this policy will be reviewed. We aim to keep the recordings for the minimum time necessary.

–– Romaine Lawson, Director of Operations