Recording people in secret??

[FlyingHigh222]

Is this legal?
Say in the sense that someone was looking after my child and I didn't fully trust the things that may be said around them. They are not at risk of harm but there may be a serious choice of different parenting/care tactics at hand which they know I don't agree with but they think what I don't know won't hurt me.
Could I voice record them legally whilst my child was in their care.
It wouldnt be shared, would be for personal use only as 'knowledge is power' unless their was anything particularly criminal for example.
Thanks in advance

Covert recordings may smack of underhand private investigations, but are they legal? Here I look at some of the key points.

The Data Protection Act 1998 is frequently mentioned as a barrier to covert recording. However the Act does not prohibit secret recordings for personal or family use. Section 36 of the Act relates to domestic purposes and states:

“Personal data process by an individual only for the purposes of that individual’s personal, family or household affairs (including recreational purposes) are exempt from the data protection principles and the provisions of Parts II and III.”

A family dispute would fall within that exemption, but a court will still have to be asked for permission to use it as evidence.

Breach of confidentiality would only be an issue if the recordings are published or distributed.

It seems very strange that you would want to even allow them the opportunity to be alone with your child given the circumstances. If you know they are verbally abusive to other grandchildren why would you put your own child in that situation “just in case”?

I think it's shocking that a parent would leave their children with people known to shout aggressively at them just so they don't cause a row.

As a parent you need to protect your children.

If you tell them you are recording them wont they just alter their behaviour temporarily but not their attitude and disrespect for you. Why bother with them if you know they shout and are aggressive, they dont deserve to look after your precious DC. Knowledge isn't power, protecting your DC and stopping them being exposed to this behaviour is power.

Will you be telling your partner you are going to secretly record their parents?

This website has some good guidance for covert recording
www.spyequipmentuk.co.uk/spy-laws/

What is illegal use of a spy camera?

Deploying covert cameras in areas where individuals would have an expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms.
Planting a hidden camera in someone else’s home, or an area someone else owns. ........
I would be pretty certain this also applies to audio recording only devices too.

Whilst you could record in your own home, you cannot record in someone elses.

You're not happy with GPS looking after the children, they don't leave them with them? Why would you do that?