Behind Closed Doors: Put Body Cameras on Social Work Visits and Child Interviews
The Issue
When a social worker comes through your front door, everything that happens next can decide whether a child stays with their family. Yet there is no recording. Just one person's notes, written afterwards.
If those notes are wrong, families have no way to prove it. And when a child is spoken to alone, their exact words, their tone and what they really wanted can be lost the moment they are summarised by someone else.
Police already record child interviews. Social care doesn't.
When the police interview a child as a victim or witness, it is normally video-recorded under national "Achieving Best Evidence" guidance, because a written summary can't capture what a child truly said. Social work decisions can be just as life-changing. Children deserve the same protection.
Trust needs transparency.
The Government has previously rejected body cameras for social workers, saying they could harm "trusted relationships". But trust is built on honesty, and an honest record protects everyone. There have been cases where reports were inaccurate or exaggerated, and once a family is separated the damage can't be undone.
What we're asking for
We're calling on the Government and local authorities to require body-worn cameras for:
- every social work home visit, and
- every interview with a child when their parents aren't present.
To make it work:
- Always on. Cameras can't be switched off, disconnected or have footage deleted by the wearer.
- Secure and private. Footage is stored securely, viewed only by those who need it, and handled under data protection law to protect the child.
- Accountable. Failing to record, or hiding a recording, triggers an immediate professional review.
Good for families. Good for social workers.
Families get an objective record of visits that can change their lives. Dedicated social workers get protection from false complaints. No more "he said, she said", just what really happened.
Every child's voice matters. Let's make sure it's heard exactly as they said it.
Sign now, and share this with one parent who'd want to know. 🛑📹
Matt Lowe, Founder, Politically Child Minded
307
The Issue
When a social worker comes through your front door, everything that happens next can decide whether a child stays with their family. Yet there is no recording. Just one person's notes, written afterwards.
If those notes are wrong, families have no way to prove it. And when a child is spoken to alone, their exact words, their tone and what they really wanted can be lost the moment they are summarised by someone else.
Police already record child interviews. Social care doesn't.
When the police interview a child as a victim or witness, it is normally video-recorded under national "Achieving Best Evidence" guidance, because a written summary can't capture what a child truly said. Social work decisions can be just as life-changing. Children deserve the same protection.
Trust needs transparency.
The Government has previously rejected body cameras for social workers, saying they could harm "trusted relationships". But trust is built on honesty, and an honest record protects everyone. There have been cases where reports were inaccurate or exaggerated, and once a family is separated the damage can't be undone.
What we're asking for
We're calling on the Government and local authorities to require body-worn cameras for:
- every social work home visit, and
- every interview with a child when their parents aren't present.
To make it work:
- Always on. Cameras can't be switched off, disconnected or have footage deleted by the wearer.
- Secure and private. Footage is stored securely, viewed only by those who need it, and handled under data protection law to protect the child.
- Accountable. Failing to record, or hiding a recording, triggers an immediate professional review.
Good for families. Good for social workers.
Families get an objective record of visits that can change their lives. Dedicated social workers get protection from false complaints. No more "he said, she said", just what really happened.
Every child's voice matters. Let's make sure it's heard exactly as they said it.
Sign now, and share this with one parent who'd want to know. 🛑📹
Matt Lowe, Founder, Politically Child Minded
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Petition created on 29 August 2026