Is it ok to use cameras for security when having carers

worried33
worried33 Community Member Posts: 1,102 Championing
edited August 26 in Families and carers

This is in my own home, no one lives with me carers visit.

The problem is I have noticed some theft. The only sensible thing to do at this point seems to be to use cameras, but I dont know if its legal, and if I have to inform the carer agency.

Sadly because they keep sending 5-6 carers every week, I have no idea who the guilty person might be at this point. I asked them several times already as well as the council did on my behalf for them to cut it down to a regular, but they havent done it.

Comments

  • MrHappy2
    MrHappy2 Community Member Posts: 55 Contributor

    Hi @worried33

    You are not alone in having concerns re carers.

    Until a few months ago i had 3 sometimes 4 one hour care visits every day but i eventually cancelled my entire Social Services care package because of ongoing problems with care. Those problems included occasional theft by carers, different carers constantly (regularly 3 different carers every day). Short-time visits (paid for one hour visits but most carers have come and gone in less than 30 mins, and that's if they show up at all). And finally my biggest issue was the often times abysmal quality of care.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 3,859 Connected

    @worried33 Unfortunately, as I've been painfully aware for most of the last 25 years, the care sector is woefully under-staffed, and I've also discovered in recent years that Council carers are worse than useless most of the time because they don't get paid enough to do beyond the bare minimum.

    Have you reported the potential thefts to management of the Agency? They should (but probably won't) do their own internal investigation.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,601 Online Community Team

    Hi @worried33. I'm so sorry that you're experiencing this. Is it a large amount that is being stolen?

    We can't offer legal advice and it seems to be a bit of a grey area. Here's some information from the Quality Care Commission (CQC): https://www.cqc.org.uk/contact-us/report-concern/using-cameras-or-other-recording-equipment-check-somebodys-care

    A first step could be to let the care service know you're considering installing cameras. They should ask why and look into the issue.

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Community Member Posts: 15,521 Championing
    edited August 26

    The impression I got is that you're allowed cameras in your own home and you don't have to justify it to anyone. A courtesy would be to tell the carers about the cameras, and they may have the right not to come, but I'm not sure about that last bit.

    Last year we had to organise care for a relative with dementia. She was alone at night but had several hours of care a day. We installed cameras to keep an eye on her, not the carers, as she was doing things like trying to get out of bed (she wasn't able to walk, and we once found her on the floor in the morning). We asked the care company if they were okay with the cameras and they actually encouraged it because it protects both parties - as long as both parties are acting faithfully, that is!

  • CarNineSix
    CarNineSix Community Member Posts: 41 Contributor

    You have a second option, old mobile phone just propped up and left to record.

    But in your home, you can record what ever you want. The people who visit you should be made aware that CCTV is in use but this can be a small sign that can be seen, how many times do you see those signs and ignore them?

  • worried33
    worried33 Community Member Posts: 1,102 Championing
    edited August 26
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1146634#Comment_1146634


    Given I know money got stolen, the total amount of things being stolen will be a unknown, as there is rooms I havent been in for months at this point. There is other things of value in my home, but in terms of cash it is about £60.

    I am more bothered about letters, documents, photos, and its the fact someone is going through my bits which I have a big problem with.

    I do have one carer who was going through some of my bits, and when I noticed her she casually told me she wanted to rearrange them, this was not far from where a mobile phone was sitting and where the money was, so when I speak to the agency I will at least ask she isnt assigned to me again, and inform them of what has happened.

    Even a meal vanished, I was given a choice of 2 meals by a carer, then the next day there was none left, this care who was going through my bits was in between those 2 slots.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,601 Online Community Team

    I'm so sorry the carer would go through your things. It's such an invasion of privacy. I think it's a good idea to ask that they don't send her again. I can't believe that they would steal a meal! Absolutely shocking.

    Do you feel able to speak to the care agency about wanting to install cameras? Do you have any friends or family that can support you with it?

  • Jean Eveleigh
    Jean Eveleigh Scope Member Posts: 188 Empowering

    This is the info I have found after searching for - Security cameras and home care UK law.

    It is legal to install security cameras in your own private home to monitor care, but you must respect strict privacy boundaries and data rules. Rules for Private Homes (Domiciliary Care)

    • Private Spaces: Never place cameras in bathrooms, toilets, or areas that violate basic human dignity.
    • Consent and Capacity: If the person receiving care has mental capacity, you should discuss and agree on the cameras with them. If they lack capacity (such as advanced dementia), a decision can be made in their "best interests" under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
    • Audio Recording: Sound recording is much more invasive than video and should generally be avoided unless strictly necessary and properly consented to.
    • Data Storage: Keep recorded footage secure and encrypted, and do not share it publicly or carelessly, as it constitutes personal data.
    • Boundary and Public Areas: If your camera captures areas outside your property line (like a public street or neighbor's property), you must follow guidelines from the Information Commissioner's Office.

    Rules for Care Homes

    • Strict Restrictions: Care homes face much tighter regulations from the Care Quality Commission. Covert or hidden cameras in residential bedrooms require formal justification, capacity assessments, and safeguarding protocols.
    • Refusal Rights: A care home can legally refuse a family's request to install a private camera if it breaches the privacy or dignity of other residents or staff.

    Further Exploration

    If you can tell me whether the care is in your own private home or a residential care facility, I can give you more specific guidance on your legal rights.

  • MrHappy2
    MrHappy2 Community Member Posts: 55 Contributor

    My last (and final care agency) was an all Kenyan agency. The only reason i am mentioning nationality is because language was an ongoing issue as was the actual quality of care. One example being a carer thought washing my hair meant rubbing in shampoo and leaving it. Perhaps that's how it was done back home in the village i thought to myself. So many other examples of abysmal care that eventually it became a pointless exercise even bothering to mention them because nothing ever changed.

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