Is mandatory CCTV in nurseries after abuse cases necessary?

Certainly, with regular review by managers, they could help identify unsafe practice more quickly. They are not a complete solution with concerns about how footage is used, stored and protected, and possible misuse. Any changes must include strong guidance and safeguards. An expert advisory group is being appointed to help develop safe and effective CCTV guidance for the sector.

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Sharon Birch, Safeguarding Network's Early Years Safeguarding Consultant shares her thoughts...

CCTV can be an invaluable safeguarding tool in early years environments. I endorse it. Drawing on direct experience, CCTV has proven essential in detecting and evidencing incidents of child maltreatment, enabling swift referrals to agencies and decisive action against staff who pose a risk to children. It also provides reassurance to parents and supports transparency and integrity within the setting. CCTV serves multiple safeguarding and operational purposes such as incident evidence. It provides clear records for investigations and referrals. In practice improvement it helps review accidents and incidents, leading to reflective practice and better procedures. For professional development it enables staff to reflect on and improve their interactions with children and assist in supervision of staff who directly work with children. For security, it deters theft and supports overall site safety. Finally, it is affirming for parental reassurance as it demonstrates a commitment to openness and safeguarding.

However, the use of CCTV must be governed by robust, fit-for-purpose policies. They should be checked daily to ensure they are working correctly. Systems should be regularly reviewed and monitored, not just accessed reactively. Ongoing, reflective use of CCTV should be embedded in daily practice, with clear protocols for privacy, data protection, and access.