POLICY CONTENT

Our School believes in the operation of Closed-Circuit Television System (CCTV) to ensure the health, safety and protection of children, staff, educators, parents and visitors of the School. 
 

NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD (NQS) 

QUALITY AREA 2: Children's Health and Safety

2.2

Safety

Each child is protected

QUALITY AREA 7: Governance and Leadership

7.1.2

Management and Systems

Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality school

PURPOSE 

Our School has the responsibility to provide a safe and secure working and learning environment for staff, children, visitors and contractors. The use of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) installed at the School aims to address crime prevention strategies to reduce concerns, deal with complaints and support investigations. Our School adheres to the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) and comply with the Australian Privacy Principles.  

SCOPE 

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management, and visitors of the School. 
 

IMPLEMENTATION 

Our School uses Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor the physical environment. It provides protection and security for staff and children in care, assisting in assuring families that their children are in a safe environment and may also assist with misunderstandings, damages to the School, theft and potentially false accusations by providing digital evidence. Child safety is embedded in our organisation, and we believe the use of CCTV assists in our risk management strategies to prevent, identify and mitigate risks to children. 

Camera Use

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) operates at the School and comprises of: 

• Fixed position cameras within all rooms and playspaces (excluding all bathrooms and staff room)
• A monitor and Digital Hard Drive Recorder 
• Public Information Sign at the outside of School building. 

All camera work in dark and low light environments.
 

Camera Locations 

• The entrance and exit points 
• Kitchen
• Store Room and Landry
• Meeting Room
• Hallways
• Foyer Area 
• Nursery Room and Sleep Area
• Toddler Room  
• K3 and K4 Rooms
• Outside Playspaces

The CCTV recording system operates in real mode, monitoring the site continuously 24 hours a day.  Footage and information collected via the recording system will be governed by Australian Privacy Principles and all relevant staff will be kept up to date with requirements under Australia’s privacy law (There are some Commonwealth, State and territory laws that restrict the use of listening, optical, data and tracking surveillance devices). 
 
Access to the recordings will only be disclosed to: 

1. the Ombudsman WA to assist with investigations on ‘child protection’ (e.g., abuse, neglect and ill treatment). 
2. to a member or officer of a law enforcement agency e.g., Police for use in assisting with investigations. 
3. the Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor / Responsible Person on duty to investigate situations that may have occurred. 

 

Storage of Footage 

CCTV footage is kept in a secure location at the School for a period of up to 6 to 12 weeks. Any recorded footage will be destroyed or de-identified when it is no longer needed. 
 
Management/Nominated Supervisor will comply with current CCTV Australian laws, to ensure:  

• all staff, educators and families have been notified in writing about the surveillance devices at the School including: 
  • the kind of surveillance to be carried out (camera, computer or tracking) 
  • how the surveillance will be carried out 
  • when the surveillance will start and if it will be continuous or intermittent and 
  • whether the surveillance will be for a specified limited period or ongoing 
  • who has access to the footage (police, legal representatives) 
  • how and when the footage will be deleted
• clear expectations of staff and educators in the workplace and their responsibility for upholding the School’s privacy obligations have been discussed 
• all cameras are clearly visible  
• signs are placed at the entrance of the School to advise staff, families, and visitors about the surveillance   
• there is no external access to the footage (e.g. families or staff members cannot log in and view footage) 
• cameras are not installed in private areas such as bathrooms or shower areas (for employees and children) 
• maintenance and upgrades of cameras are conducted as required 
• cameras are positioned to ensure the most effective coverage 
• compliance with the Privacy Act, including handling of any personal information  
• CCTV Footage is kept secure and destroyed or de-identified when it is no longer required  
• confidentiality is maintained at all times 
• the correct time and date are covered 
• a request to view a recording is in accordance with Australian law 
• new employees, students and volunteers are provided with a copy of the CCTV policy as part of their induction 
• families are provided with a copy of this policy/or access to this policy during enrolment or orientation to the School

 

SOURCE

Australian Government, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. (2019). Australian Privacy Principles:  oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-pr... 
Education and Care Services National Regulations. (2011).  
Fleming, J. (2016). Childcare centre safety. Belonging Early Years Journal (5)1, 86-88. 
NSW Government, Office of the Children’s Guardian Child Safe Standards (2020).
Privacy Act 1988 
Revised National Quality Standard. (2018). 
Workplace Surveillance Act 2005