Do Body-Worn Cameras Help with Behaviour Issues In Schools?
Blog: Do Body-Worn Cameras Help with Behaviour Issues In Schools? Published: 17/05/2022
Do Body-Worn Cameras Help with Behaviour Issues In Schools?
The measures taken to ensure school premises are safe are never set in stone, and since threats and challenges evolve, so must the response that educational institutions provide.
Rising to the challenge of school security
Rising to new security challenges successfully requires keeping abreast of changing situations and making the most of the technology available. CCTV technology has evolved substantially since it first appeared in the 1990s.
Nowadays, there are different types of sensors, cameras, and set-ups available to schools. Among those are body worn CCTV cameras, which can be worn discreetly by teachers, support staff, and security personnel. Are these right for your school? Let’s look at the latest evidence on how these devices help with behaviour.
Improving security and safety through body-worn cameras
An article published in the Guardian in 2020 described how some schools in London and Hampshire had been testing body-worn cameras for security purposes. These devices are similar to those worn by police to record their surroundings and interactions with the public.
The schools mentioned in the article said they had a successful trial run, as teachers who wore them noticed improvements in overall behaviour and fewer serious confrontations. The conclusion was that body-worn cameras serve as a deterrent to disruptive or criminal behaviour, which improves on-site safety and safeguarding.
More evidence along this line comes from a case study also published in 2020 by a UK company that supplies body-worn cameras to schools. The school in question is located in an area known for its high levels of social exclusion and anti-social behaviour.
Strengthening the pupil-teacher relationship
Although some people are concerned that this type of technology could be detrimental to the teacher-student relationship, it all depends on how it’s used and what principles are in place. In terms of the case study school, teachers wore body cameras to deter abusive behaviour and vandalism from outsiders, not to signal they don’t trust their students.
One of the teachers explained that the footage was accepted as evidence of criminal behaviour by the police, which meant those responsible could be prosecuted and a clear message is sent to other youths in the community. This had an impact on the quality of education provided, as in certain areas, safeguarding can quickly become a core task at the expense of actual teaching.
In addition, this solution allowed teachers to spend more quality time with students and address any behavioural issues more efficiently and to de-escalate situations quickly.
Safeguarding and supporting teachers
Not only can body-worn cameras improve school security and help keep people safe, but they can also play a role in safeguarding teachers from accusations of misconduct, providing video evidence to dismiss unfounded and malicious allegations. The footage taken from body-worn CCTV cameras can also be used for teacher development and personalised training purposes. For example, footage can be reviewed to train new teachers, monitor teaching practice, and to demonstrate teaching and assessment techniques. Moreover, footage can be shared with students in some circumstances to elicit their feedback or to illustrate certain points and encourage healthy debate.
Whether directly or indirectly, body-worn cameras can play an important role in deterring disruptive behaviour and fostering a safer environment that is conducive to better learning.
FIND OUT MORE
At DTS Solutions we supply body-worn cameras to schools and can help integrate these devices with other systems and security networks. Our team can also provide on-site or online training to empower school staff and help you create a safer learning environment. Please call 01480 407740 today to find out more.