In 2018 technology was rarely part of the conversation in social care, writes Jayne Connery FRSA FRSPH
While other sectors were embracing innovation, the idea that technology could support safety, transparency and accountability in care homes was often met with hesitation. Discussions about cameras, monitoring systems and digital safeguards were limited, particularly within dementia care, where some of the most vulnerable people in society are often unable to explain what has happened to them when things go wrong.
At a time when few organisations were speaking publicly about the role technology could play in protecting vulnerable people, Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCFTV) began raising the issue.
Driven by the experiences of families, including my own experiences supporting my mother through her dementia journey, CCFTV became one of the first organisations in the UK to advocate for greater transparency and safety in care, particularly within dementia care settings. We believed that families deserved reassurance, care staff deserved protection from false allegations, and vulnerable people deserved every safeguard available to help keep them safe.
The conversation was never about replacing care with technology.
It was about asking whether technology could become one of many tools available to support good care, improve accountability and provide answers when concerns arose. As more families came forward with reports of unexplained injuries, unwitnessed falls, safeguarding concerns and unanswered questions, the campaign gained momentum. What started as a grassroots movement led by families eventually reached Westminster.
In 2018, the issue of CCTV in care home communal areas was debated in Parliament during a Westminster Hall debate led by then Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve. The accompanying House of Commons briefing paper referenced the work of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable and highlighted the growing national discussion around transparency and safety in care.
For a small independent organisation, it was a significant milestone. The debate explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with safety monitoring in care settings. While there were differing opinions, one thing was clear: transparency in care had become a national issue worthy of Parliamentary attention.
Today, it is remarkable to see how far the sector has come. Back in 2018, much of the debate centred around CCTV. Today, technology in care extends far beyond cameras. Providers are increasingly using digital care planning systems, acoustic monitoring, falls prevention technology, wearable devices, artificial intelligence and remote health monitoring to support residents and care teams.
Technology is helping providers identify health concerns earlier, recognise changes in behaviour, respond more quickly to risks and improve communication between staff, healthcare professionals and families.
We are also seeing technology used to support greater independence.
For many years, care services understandably focused heavily on risk reduction. Today, there is growing recognition that people living with dementia should still be supported to live meaningful lives, take appropriate risks and maintain as much independence as possible. Technology can play an important role in achieving that balance.
One of the most positive developments has been the shift in attitude across the sector.
In 2018, the debate was largely about whether technology had a place in care at all. In 2026, the discussion is increasingly focused on how technology can be used responsibly, ethically and with consent to deliver better care.
That is real progress.
We have seen technology help investigate unexplained incidents, provide valuable evidence when concerns arise, support safeguarding processes, improve staff training and strengthen confidence between providers and families.
Importantly, we have also seen technology support vulnerable people to live safer, fuller and more independent lives.
This progress should be celebrated.
Technology is not, and never will be, a replacement for compassionate, skilled and dedicated care staff. Good care will always be built upon human relationships, kindness and professionalism.
However, when combined with a positive culture and strong leadership, technology can be a powerful tool that enhances care rather than replacing it.
CCFTV’s own position has evolved alongside these developments. While continuing to champion choice-led safety monitoring, we now support a broader conversation about innovation in care and how technology can improve safety, dignity, wellbeing and independence.
Over the past decade, we have worked alongside families, providers, technology experts, policymakers and sector leaders who share a common goal: delivering the safest and best possible care for vulnerable people.
Perhaps most encouragingly, many care providers are now embracing transparency rather than fearing it. Increasing numbers recognise that openness builds trust, supports learning and ultimately leads to better outcomes for residents, families and staff.
The challenges facing social care remain significant. Funding pressures, workforce shortages and increasingly complex care needs continue to test the resilience of the sector.
Yet there are reasons to be optimistic.
There is greater awareness of dementia than ever before. There is more discussion around human rights, inclusion and person-centred care. And there is growing recognition that technology, when used appropriately, can be a force for good.
Looking back, the Parliamentary debate of 2018 was never the destination – it was one important milestone on a much longer journey. Today, Care Campaign for the Vulnerable remains proud to have been one of the early voices calling for greater transparency and safety in care.
Now, in 2026, the conversation has changed beyond recognition. What was once considered controversial is increasingly becoming part of everyday practice.
And that can only be a positive thing for the people who matter most – those receiving care and the families who love them.
