The luxury care provider led the event as part of its ongoing campaign to increase understanding and adoption of safety monitoring technology
To mark Care Home Open Week, leading luxury care home provider, Signature Senior Lifestyle, co-hosted a roundtable exploring the use of safety monitoring technology at the host home, Signature at Reigate Grange, and across their wider estate.
The event brought together leading figures in the social care sector, as well as frontline Signature careers and the families of residents living at Signature at Reigate Grange, to discuss the opportunities presented by safety monitoring technology for enhancing the quality and safety of care. The roundtable also highlighted the importance of balancing the benefits of safety monitoring solutions with ensuring the continuation of dignity, respect, and privacy for residents.
Signature has implemented safety monitoring technology across its ten homes, with independently monitored cameras installed in the apartments of residents with dementia care needs who have opted into the programme.
The solution not only reinforces the quality of safeguarding but acts as a source of reassurance for family members, who can request access to the footage, and supports team member development through identifying learning opportunities and examples of best practice. Signature has also been able to use video analysis to identify and respond to the needs of residents, adapting care plans and staffing rotas to facilitate an even greater level of personalised care and support.
Jayne Connery’s Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCftV), which advocates for safety improvements for those living with dementia in care settings, has worked closely with Signature Senior Lifestyle on its adoption of the safety monitoring programme and co-hosted the roundtable. The event explored how the two organisations joined forces to create the UK’s first group-wide rollout of safety monitoring technology across the Signature estate.
Signature and CCftV have also collaborated on a policy framework that prioritises resident safety and dignity, provides families with the freedom to choose, and supports team member training and development. The ongoing partnership has been commended by CCftV Director, Jayne Connery, who reflected that the roundtable demonstrated Signature’s continuous support for ‘greater transparency in care’.
Attendees, including Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, and Nadra Ahmed CBE, Chairman of the National Care Association, had the opportunity to see the safety monitoring technology in use at Signature at Reigate Grange. They also participated in productive discussions on best practice, regulation and compliance, and the ethical considerations of using the solution.
Paul Farmer, Operations Director at Care Protect, a leading supplier of safety monitoring technology, gave an engaging presentation on the urgent need for advanced safety technology across the sector, emphasising the value of real-time oversight by external care professionals.
The roundtable encouraged valuable conversations and a strengthened commitment to adopting innovative solutions for better care. Attendees praised Signature’s ‘wonderful culture’ and reflected that its innovative use of safety monitoring technology was an example to the entire sector of ‘the art of the possible’.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England said:
“It was a pleasure to have participated in this excellent roundtable. I extend my sincerest thanks to Kay and all of the wonderful Signature team members who offered their time, expertise, and hospitality to create such a special event. Engaging with passionate advocates for quality assurance, like Signature and CCftV, is endlessly valuable for those of us working to make the care sector a safer place.”
Kay Cox, CEO of Signature Senior Lifestyle, reflected:
“We are immensely proud of the progress we have made in adopting and advocating for safety monitoring technology. Connecting with so many leaders in the social care space to discuss the positive impact that safety monitoring solutions can have on the quality of care, safety of residents, and colleague training has been incredibly meaningful. We are committing to continuing to work with the sector and fantastic organisations like CCftV to drive genuine innovation and transformation in care.”