Short films -
Greater understanding
Bringing Care Plans to life in residents’ own words
Written records are essential — but they cannot always convey personality, humour, life history or the small preferences that really make a difference to quality of life.
A Care Insight Film is a short documentary — three to four minutes — of a resident talking about their own life. It’s led by them and can cover their childhood, family or relationships, work, hobbies, interests and what is important to them now.
In just a few minutes, staff gain insight into personality, background and communication style — helping them respond more confidently and deliver more consistent, person-centred care.
John explains what is important to him right now and why.
“It can really help you to support a resident better. The key is empathy.”
Carer
The benefits
For your team
Staff understand residents faster: from their first shift, not their fifth week.
Consistency: the same understanding of each resident across the whole team.
Staff wellbeing: carers feel they genuinely know their residents, and feel more connected, empathetic and likely to stay.
For your residents
Residents feel valued: the filming itself is an enriching experience that residents consistently describe as a highlight.
For families
Reassurance for families: evidence that their loved one is known as a person, not just a patient.
For your home
CQC evidence, ready to use: clear evidence of person-centred care.
A genuine point of difference: something distinctive to offer prospective residents and their families.
“It’s like chalk and cheese. You can’t even compare the two — reading something compared to seeing someone with their nuances and facial expressions, their character, body language… all of those things come across. You can see it in their eyes.”
Registered Care Manager, London
What’s included
Care Insight Films are quick to watch and easy to use within existing routines. Through the Care Insight Programme, we provide everything you need to use them well.
Care Insight Films
Individual 3–4 minute Care Insight Films, subtitled, securely delivered and ready to use.
Implementation Support
A handover meeting on delivery, plus a follow-up review 4–6 weeks later.
Manager Toolkit
A practical guide to embedding the films in induction, handovers, keyworker sessions, family meetings and MDT discussions.
CQC Support Notes
Viewing logs, reflection prompts, an activity page for each filmed resident, and a summary sheet to help you demonstrate person-centred care.
Staff Induction Guide
How and when staff should watch the films, with discussion prompts for team learning.
Resident Insight Tracker
A simple record to track how the films are being used and note changes in residents over time.
Family Guidance
How to share the films appropriately and sensitively with families.
Communications Pack
Suggested wording and assets for your website, brochure, and family enquiry materials — written to suit the tone of your current communications, for you to use or adapt.
“Good staff are a really precious resource. When you have new staff or when staff have gone on holiday or staff are unfamiliar with the residents, they watch a short video and get a feel of the person before they go to see them – that’s amazing.”
Registered Care Manager, London
We are happy to talk through the practicalities and how the Care Insight Programme would work in your care setting.
A fun and enriching activity for your residents
We film up to six residents in a day, in one quiet space within your care setting, working around existing routines so there's as little disruption as possible.
Each film is made from a relaxed, guided, filmed conversation about the resident's life, led sensitively and at their own pace.
Being listened to and sharing their stories is meaningful, person-led and affirming, and it helps your team evidence person-centred care.
“When you are here…it lifts the energy of the whole community. The experience is really enriching — people feel special.”
Registered Care Manager, London
Designed for busy care settings
We know any new initiative, however well-intentioned, risks adding to the workload rather than reducing it.
So the films are short, the guides are practical, and we handle the filming, editing and delivery.
A practical conversation without obligation
A practical conversation without obligation
How we work
Careful, considered and collaborative
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We work with care staff and families to choose who takes part, understand individual needs and plan a filming day that feels relaxed and supportive.
Before filming, we take time to understand any relevant information the care team shares, so each conversation is approached sensitively and at the right pace.
This is done with consent and only to help us work respectfully and support each person to speak for themselves.
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We bring a small, experienced team and plan each day carefully so it feels calm and unhurried. To protect that pace and make sure everyone feels properly attended to, we film no more than six people in one location in a day.
The filming is set up discreetly so the conversation stays the focus. Where possible, we work with your team to find a quiet, comfortable space where interviews can take place without interruption.
The atmosphere on filming day is warm and often uplifting. Being listened to and sharing stories and memories can feel special, and many people find it both enjoyable and affirming.
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Each film is thoughtfully edited to capture the person’s individuality.
Films are shaped to be clear, accessible and useful within care settings.
We share a first cut with the care home and welcome one round of feedback before final sign-off and delivery.
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Final films are delivered securely, in a way that fits your existing systems, together with the guides, tracker and CQC support notes listed above.
When the films are delivered, we meet with you to show how to use them, then follow up 4–6 weeks later to review how it's going.
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Care Insight Films are made within professional care settings, where residents are already supported by experienced teams. We work alongside those teams, respecting the care setting's safeguarding policies and day-to-day expertise.
During filming, we pay close attention to mood, energy and wellbeing. If someone becomes tired or unsettled, we pause or gently bring the conversation to a close. Should anything give cause for concern, we follow the care setting's safeguarding procedures promptly.
We carry out risk assessments before and during filming and hold full public liability insurance.
Consent
Taking part is always voluntary and based on informed consent. Where someone has capacity, we ask them directly. Where someone lacks capacity, the commissioning organisation makes sure appropriate best-interest decisions or authorised consent processes are in place, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We work with care teams and families so filming is respectful and appropriate at all times. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and we will pause or stop filming if taking part seems to be causing distress or discomfort.
Respect and dignity
We work at each person's pace, follow their lead in what they choose to share, and uphold their dignity from the first conversation to the final film.
Data protection
We handle all personal data, including information about protected characteristics, with care and in strict confidence. Data is stored securely and managed in line with our Data Protection policy.
Could the Care Insight Programme work in your setting?
Many homes start with a single filming day of up to six residents. We're happy to talk through the practicalities and how that first day would work for you.
No obligation — just a practical conversation.