Policy

CCTV POLICY  

Policy Overview

The Norfolk Childcare Company is securely monitored by a CCTV surveillance system the system used is a motion activated system both internally and Externally. 

While the use is generally accepted, operators have a responsibility to those whose images are caught on camera. The business complies with the Information Commissioner’s CCTV Code of Practice; this is to ensure it is used responsibly and safeguards both trust and confidence.

CCTV is a closed-circuit television system on a private network. Footage is monitored mainly for surveillance and security purposes. The system uses strategically placed cameras that send the images to monitors placed elsewhere.

Introduction

The Nursery Directors / Owner is responsible for the operation of the system for ensuring compliance with this policy.

We recognise that the use of CCTV has become a common feature of our daily lives and while its use is generally accepted, CCTV operators have certain duties and responsibilities to those whose images are caught on camera.

Who is this policy aimed at?

This policy applies to all Visitors to any site of The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD Including parents and careers, employees, Volunteers, students, temporary staff, or anyone working for or on behalf of The Norfolk Childcare Company LTD.

Where does this Policy Apply?

• Any location The Norfolk Childcare Company operates

Table of Contents

 

OUR CCTV SYSTEM 3

Identification 3

CCTV Location 3

Administration 3

Purpose of the CCTV System 3

Disclosure 4

Data protection 4

Recording 4

CCTV Storage, Viewing and Retention 5

Who has access to our CCTV recordings 5

Maintenance 5

Policy Commencement and Review 6

OUR CCTV SYSTEM 

The System comprises multiple fixed position cameras, a monitor, digital hard drive and cloud based storage. Cameras are located at strategic points on the premises. The main door to the nursery may have a IP based door entry system upon entry. 

No camera is hidden from view and all will be prevented from focusing on areas of private accommodation such as toilets. 

Signs are prominently placed at the entrance and exit points of the site to inform staff, children, parents and visitors that a CCTV installation is in use. 

The digital recorder and single effectiveness of the limited system it is not possible to guarantee that the system will detect every incident taking place on the site.

This should include the use of ‘real time’ CCTV recording in common areas that could be used to help monitor the use of restraint and assist decisions on safeguarding and child protection interventions. The CCTV will not be monitored all the times. While we may have CCTV in the car park areas this does not guarantee that this will prevent any damage or loss that happens in public areas The NCC take no responsibility for any loss, damage or theft to private property. Also in this instance we cannot guarantee that our CCTV system will capture any acts of loss, damage or theft on NCC or public property. 

Identification 

In areas where CCTV is used, the nursery will ensure that there are prominent signs placed at both the entrance of the CCTV zone and within the controlled area(s). The signs will:  Be clearly visible and readable  Contain details of the organisation operating the scheme, the purpose for using CCTV and who to contact about the scheme  Be an appropriate size, depending on context

CCTV Location 

Cameras are located in those areas where the nursery has an identified need (see purpose). 

The nursery’s CCTV system is used solely for the purposes identified and adequate signage will identify where it is in use

The nursery does not use the CCTV system for covert monitoring

The car park may have an ANPR recognition CCTV, There may be an IP based doorbell upon entry to the nursery and additional CCTV cameras both internally and externally around the nursery. 

Administration 

The nursery undertakes regular audits to ensure that the use of CCTV continues to be justified. The audit includes a review of:  Its stated purpose  The locations,  The images recorded and documented  Storage length  Deletion

Purpose of the CCTV System

The system has been installed by the nursery with the primary purpose of monitoring

• Staff interaction with children
• Ensuring children are appropriately cared for
• Facilitate the identification of any activities/event which might warrant disciplinary proceedings being taken against staff and assist in providing evidence to the Nursery Manager
• Reducing the threat of a child being abducted
• Damaged to the building
• Theft
• Assist in the prevention and detection of crime
• Helping ensure the safety of all the users, staff, children, parents and visitors, consistent with the respect for the individual’s privacy
• Deter those having criminal intent

The system will not be used to provide images for the world-wide-web. 

Disclosure 

Disclosure of the recorded images to third parties can only be authorised by the Data Controller. Disclosure will only be granted:  If its release is fair to the individuals concerned  If there is an overriding legal obligation (e.g. information access rights)  If it is consistent with the purpose for which the system was established Note: Disclosure may be authorised to law enforcement agencies (even if a system was not established to prevent or detect crime), if withholding it would prejudice the prevention or detection of crime. All requests for access or for disclosure are recorded. If access or disclosure is denied, the reason is documented.

Data protection 

Subject Access Requests Individuals whose images are recorded have a right to view images of themselves and, unless they agree otherwise, to be provided with a copy of the images. © 2016 The Norfolk Childcare company – all rights reserved . 

If the nursery receives a request under the Data Protection Act it will comply with requests within 40 calendar days of receiving the request. The nursery may charge a fee of up to £10. If the nursery receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act it will comply with requests within 20 working days of receiving the request.

Those requesting access must provide enough detail to allow the operator to identify that they are the subject of the images, and for the operator to locate the images on the system. 

Requests for access should be addressed to the Data Controller. Refusal to disclose images may be appropriate where their release would be:  likely to cause substantial and unwarranted damage to that individual or  to prevent automated decision taking in relation to that individual

Recording

Digital recordings are made using a digital video recorder operating in real mode, monitoring the site continuously 24 hours a day. All our CCTV is Motion activated. 

Our CCTV in the children's garden area is operational during our open hours when children are using the garden area but this only recorded during hours when children do not use the area. This CCTV will be in operation on motion censored 

Images will normally be retained for between 6 - 12 weeks from the date of the recording and they will then automatically be overwritten.

CCTV Storage, Viewing and Retention 

Viewing of the recorded images of CCTV will be restricted to the Nursery Directors within the office, also to those staff who need to have access in accordance with the purpose of the system. 

Out of nursery hours, the company directors will have access to CCTV images via secure remote access to assist in maintaining the security of the premises. This is not a “webcam” facility; parents will not have access to view recordings.

CCTV monitoring screens are only accessible to those staff who need to see the images at the time, for example, in a staff office where there is appropriate privacy.

Recordings are stored securely and only accessible by authorised staff and all computers are password protected to gain access to history of recordings. 

Who has access to our CCTV recordings 

Only the company directors have access to the CCTV recordings, which will only be accessed via company computer or phone devices when required. All devices are password protected and require a minimum of 2 step verification to view the footage. 

All visitors to our sites are advised upon entry and inside the building that there is CCTV surveillance in place. 

CCTV is mandatory in all of our settings mainly for the purpose of Safeguarding the children in our settings. 

Maintenance 

The nursery owner is responsible for ensuring the nursery complies with its responsibilities: in relation to guidance on the location of cameras  ensuring the date and time references are accurate for suitable maintenance and servicing to be undertaken to ensure that clear images are recorded to protect cameras from vandalism in order to ensure that they remain in working order

 Policy written by Rebecca Brown 11.05.2022 

 

Policy Commencement and Review

 

Date Commencement	Review Terms	Signed By
11/05/2022	Yearly	Jonathan Tricks, Operations Director

V2.0

This policy may be updated and changed without notice.