Fostering policy on the use of video cameras/CCTV - Print version

The use of video cameras/CCTV in fostering households

Introduction  

This document outlines the policy for the use of CCTV or any other technologies which record or transmits video footage, by foster carers and kinship carers whilst they have children in care living with them.  

Purpose  

This aim of this policy is to:

• Provide clear information to carers regarding the use of cameras to support and enable them to provide safe and nurturing homes for children and young people.
• Clarify Coventry’s Fostering Service’s expectations and to provide guidance regarding surveillance systems to those carers who would wish to use recording devices to monitor a child or young person’s wellbeing in their foster home.

It is the responsibility of the Fostering Service to ensure all carers are suitable to work with children and young people. Carers must respect children’s privacy at all times, regardless of age, ability, behaviours or any other mitigating factors.  If video cameras/CCTV were used inside foster homes, it means that the child/children’s private lives are being recorded, some basic human rights would also come into play about the right to privacy and confidentiality. Children in care should not be treated differently and most homes do not use CCTV to record their families lives.

What is CCTV?

CCTV (which stands for ‘closed-circuit television’) is a term generally used to describe video surveillance. According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) [https://ico.org.uk/], a ‘domestic’ (home-based) CCTV system includes any video surveillance equipment at the home - including doorbell cameras, ‘dashcams’ or pet cameras. It can also include any other equipment that is part of recording and storing video and/or audio (sound). This means that someone may have CCTV at their home, even if they don’t have a full surveillance system.  

The use of video cameras, known as CCTV within foster carers homes is a contentious subject. Some foster carers would like to have use of these within their homes to safeguard them and their families, against possible damage to their property and possible allegations. CCTV, or other types of surveillance, is often used to help people feel safer. For example, many people have security cameras outside their homes to help protect their property from crime. Everyone who has this kind of security measure in place should be following basic guidance (for example, from the Information Commissioner's Office [https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/domestic-cctv-systems-guidance-for-people-using-cctv/] (ICO) and the UK Government [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property/domestic-cctv-using-cctv-systems-on-your-property]) to make sure their cameras and microphones are used in the right way, to protect the privacy of others. For foster carers and fostering services, it is also very important to think carefully about how any cameras and microphones at home could affect children and young people living there.  

We understand that the world is changing and so is the way that we view safety and the increased amount of CCTV out in public spaces and outside our homes, such as dash cams in our cars and video ‘ring/smart’ doorbells. The advancement of various forms of safety have become an integral part of everyday life.  Therefore, it is vital that in order to ensure your safety and privacy and that of a child or young person in your care, these policies are adhered to.

The Fostering Network

Advice to all foster carers and Fostering Services is that CCTV, or other forms of video or audio surveillance, is not necessary or appropriate for monitoring or managing children’s behaviour. This means that this type of technology is not suitable for use inside most foster homes. If a child or young person’s behaviour or welfare needs to be monitored by video surveillance, it might be worth considering whether their needs are best met by foster care.  

In terms of regulations etc., the Information Commissioner’s Office has guidance on data protection and the use of CCTV - https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/key-dp-themes/guidance-on-video-surveillance-including-cctv/ [https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/XZ_rCmwK2svBrENfGKAjj?domain=ico.org.uk]  (has a section on Ring/Smart doorbells).

Coventry Fostering Service have taken into consideration the security of data/video, and implications for children and young people in care. Photos and video images are classed as personal data, so data protection law and GDPR would apply. Given that it is the child/children’s private lives being recorded, basic human rights would be impacted in regard to their right to privacy and confidentiality.

CoramBAAF

CoramBAAF do not consider advisable the use of CCTV/video cameras within a foster home if this is about surveillance of children. If children's welfare requires video surveillance, then it could be argued that fostering is not the right type of placement for them, as such use would not be consistent with an ordinary family home. Every child's legal and moral right to privacy needs to be respected, and various of the National Minimum Standards would be relevant. There are issues of consent, and depending on their age and understanding, the child and their parents, or person holding parental responsibility, may need to be given relevant information and asked to sign consent to the use of video equipment.

Pet cameras in foster homes

We are aware that ‘pet cameras’ are sold, but it seems somewhat unclear at present what benefit they offer, if pets are happy/healthy/well cared for.

In the case of pet cameras, Coventry’s Fostering Service would need to be informed of the particular reasons why the pet surveillance cameras are being proposed? The usual reply is for times when the dogs are left ‘home alone’, but presumably if the dogs are happy and OK to be left alone for periods of time there shouldn’t be any particular concern about needing surveillance, and if they are left alone for significant periods of time that may be a concern in itself.

There may be some benefit if the dog is showing signs of separation anxiety – The Dogs Trust has the following link about separation anxiety in dogs that suggests using a camera to assess the problem: Separation Anxiety In Dogs | Behaviour | Dogs Trust [https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/DWi0CpgNRC51BX3HG10JQ?domain=dogstrust.org.uk]

If a foster carer feels this is the case for their pet, then the following steps need to be followed:

• A written agreement, developed with your supervising social worker, is shared with everyone who is relevant, that the cameras will only be used when no-one other than the dog/s are in the home, for surveillance of the dogs and for no other purpose and that recordings will not be kept.
• That any fostered children (according to age/understanding) are made aware of and understand the use and purpose of the cameras and are able to express a view, and to consider whether the child’s parents or those with parental responsibility should also be informed.
• That children do not have any access from their own phones/devices to film/view the pets and therefore the foster home, and that they do not view the pet unsupervised if they are with the foster carer at the time the carer is doing this.
• Keeping a record of any decision made, reasons for it etc.

Baby Monitors with cameras in foster homes

Baby monitors with visual recording/ transmission capacity will be regarded first and foremost as cameras and would not be advised for use in foster homes. Baby monitors with audio only are acceptable for any child under 2 years and under.  Baby monitors are a listening device and are acceptable for babies and young children up to the age of 2 years. These are not permittable if the baby is in a room with a child older than 2 years of age. Or if the baby is placed with their parent in a ‘parent and child’ foster home, as the parent would also need to be in agreement and give consent.

Baby monitors are to be used to check a baby’s child’s welfare for short periods when an adult is not in the same room, for example, if a baby is sleeping during the day. Monitors are not used as a form of supervision for babies.

Process

What Checks will be involved and how will they be carried out? 

These will form part of the other statutory checks we complete during our involvement with you, undertaken either by the assessor or supervising social worker (SSW). This will involve verifying that no cameras or CCTV is being used inside the home, whilst you have children or young people in your care.

In exceptional cases, if a foster carer felt the use of CCTV/video cameras was needed, the carer should firstly discuss with their SSW and must have clear reasons which outline the safeguarding benefits of having CCTV or other such technology. Where there are reasons agreed, the SSW must undertake a risk assessment within the child/young person’s Safer Caring plan, and this should include details of the discussion with the child/young person (where old enough to do so). The completed Safer Caring plan should be shared with the fostering team manager and child’s social worker and team manager. The risk assessment must set out the reasons for the use of the technology, where in the house the technology may be placed and whether they should be on permanently or used for short, specific periods only. Once agreed by the team manager, this must be shared with a Fostering Operational Lead for final approval. The children’s social work team should also be in agreement with its content.

Coventry’s Guidance

Foster carers are advised not to install CCTV/video cameras in their home, without prior written agreement and approval. Coventry Fostering Service discourages the use of video recording devices in any areas of a foster carer’s home.

Any breaches of confidentiality or the publication of material that is concerning, may lead to Standards of Care being breached and could affect a foster carer’s approval status.
The contents of this document should be considered in conjunction with all relevant Policies/Guidance in the Coventry’s Foster Carer Handbook.