Are you a “Must-see Nanny McPhee” kind of Parent?

You’ve worked hard to build a safe sanctuary that you can call a home. Your comfortable abode is a place of happiness, relaxation and enjoyment for family and friends and there are many reasons why you will want to protect your private residence.

You’ve worked hard to build a safe sanctuary that you can call a home. Your comfortable abode is a place of happiness, relaxation and enjoyment for family and friends and there are many reasons why you will want to protect your private residence. And that may include internal surveillance for workers within your home.

Introducing your fly-on-the-wall Nanny Cam

A progressively popular way to help guard the safety of your home and those within it is the installation of sophisticated and inconspicuous CCTV surveillance.

This technology is often referred to as a “Nanny Cam” as parents are investing in systems to keep a close eye on their children and the nanny or child minder, whilst away at work.

If you are a parent you’ll be familiar with the stress and uncertainty of leaving your little bundle of joy with another person for the first time. And for some, this anxiety will always be there no matter how well you know your child minder or trust your au pair.

A Nanny Cam can come in several guises as ordinary household items with built-in micro cameras such as a:

• Table lamp
• Air freshener
• Clock
• Smoke detector

You can even choose a blatantly obvious system comprising of standard cameras positioned within the room. Either way, there’s a Nanny Cam CCTV system that can become your eyes and ears when you’re not there.

Systems will generally comprise of a camera, a cable network and hub whereby you will be able to review and manage the footage and record settings.

A Nanny Cam will provide even the most apprehensive parents with the peace of mind that your child is being appropriately looked after and cared for in your absence and help to:

• Relieve separation anxiety
• Establish mutual respect and trust with your child minder
• Deter unsuitable child minders
• Ensure your home is not abused
• Provide an insight into your child’s behaviour away from you

Whilst we’ve discussed the use of a Nanny Cam to provide surveillance for childcare provision, the CCTV system would also be appropriate for gardeners, cleaners, house sitters, tradesmen and pet walkers – anyone who may have access to your home when you aren’t present.

Video Surveillance Laws surrounding the use of a Nanny Cam

There are a several laws under the Data Protection Act and Human Rights Acts that relate to home surveillance but generally speaking, the use of CCTV in the form of a Nanny Cam is acceptable in the UK.

It is illegal to share footage to third parties except when there is a legal incident involved and the cameras must not record in private areas of the home such as bathrooms and bedrooms.

It is important to abide by these rules because if ever a situation arose where you needed the footage as evidence you wouldn’t want to risk an overturn due to inappropriate surveillance.

Ethical and Human Rights approach

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerns the right to family and private life.

If you have a Nanny Cam installed in your home it is worth considering how you will approach this with any contracted workers who will be filmed, especially a child minder.

Secretly recording your nanny could harm a previously respectful relationship that ultimately could affect the level of care and attention given to your child.

Ensure peace of mind at home – even when you’re not there

Talk to us about improving your security measures and the implications of installing a Nanny Cam system by calling 0207 735 6666 or send an enquiry by clicking here.

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