Date: 27/3/07
Author:  Louise Hall
Source: The Sun-Herald

Nanny agencies and privacy groups are concerned that parents are using hidden surveillance and private investigators to spy on nannies.

Parents suspicious of nannies stealing, drinking on the job and neglecting or maltreating their children are increasingly using "nanny cams" - spy cameras concealed in ordinary household items such as tissue boxes, smoke detectors and clocks.

A wall clock implanted with a colour camera sells in surveillance-equipment shops for $600, while a teddy bear camera can be bought over the internet for $395.

Hidden or "covert" surveillance in NSW is illegal unless approved by a magistrate.

Private agents, such as Warren Mallard of Lyonswood Investigations, can apply for a warrant on a parent's behalf.

"Parents come to me and say, 'I know it's happening but I don't have any evidence,' " Mr Mallard said. "But we only film if we have real reason to suspect laws are being broken."

Former nanny Monique O'Brien set up Big Sister Investigator two years ago. She said most nannies behaved appropriately but some were caught leaving young children unattended in baths or swimming pools while they used the phone or entertained a boyfriend.

"One nanny left a young baby alone in the house while she went to the hairdressers for two hours," she said.

Ms O'Brien is a qualified private agent. She uses background checks and hidden cameras, and follows nannies to parks and shops.

She said she handled two or three cases a week.

Jane, from Sydney's north-west, employed Big Sister to check on her three-year-old daughter's nanny.

"I wanted to ensure she was in fact taking her to the park and not leaving her alone for too long when she went outside for a smoke," Jane said. "Our nanny had all the qualifications and good references, but it's nice to know I can trust her."

But nanny agencies don't endorse spying on nannies.

"You must feel confident with your nanny," said Cathy Clark, the owner of My Little Friend Nanny Agency.

"If you have any doubt, don't wait for an investigation - get rid of them straight away."

Ms Clark said nanny agencies generally asked applicants to provide numerous references, police and driving checks. She recommended that parents employing nannies from the classifieds or word-of-mouth should do the same. "Ask your kids how their nanny is treating them, and arrive home unannounced regularly," Ms Clark said.

With the demand for formal child-care places growing, nanny agencies said they faced greater demand for their services.

"We have 852 nannies on the books and I had 22 new families call this week, which is quiet," Ms Clark said.

Mr Mallard said nanny investigations were a small proportion of his business, having taken 30 cases involving them in a 23-year career.

"Like most professions, only a small percentage of nannies tarnish the industry," he said.

Australian Privacy Foundation chairwoman Anna Johnston said there was widespread non-compliance of the law regarding workplace surveillance and no prosecution since the Workplace Video Surveillance Act came into force five years ago.

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