1. AIM OF THIS POLICY
Clubland recognises that many staff enjoy networking with friends and family via social media. However we have to balance this against our duty to maintain the confidentiality of children and parents attending our settings, as well as ensuring that our good reputation is upheld. Staff must remember that they are ambassadors for Clubland both within and outside of working hours and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly when using social media sites. Their profiles must be set to private and they must not state that they work at Clubland Playscheme.
This policy covers (but is not limited to) social media platforms such as:
- Clubhouse
- Facebook
- Instagram
- TikTok
- Threads
- Tumblr
- X (formally Twitter)
- Youtube
- Personal blogs and websites
- Comments posted on third party blogs or websites
- Online forums
2. SOCIAL MEDIA RULES
When using social media sites, staff must not:
- Post or discuss anything that could damage Clubland’s reputation.
- Post anything that could offend other members of staff, parents/carers or children using our services.
- Publish any photographs or materials that could identify the children or our organisation.
- Accept invitations from parents/carers to connect via social media (e.g., friend requests on Facebook) unless they already know the parent/carer in a private capacity.
- Discuss with parents/carer any issues relating to their child or our organisation. Instead invite the parent/carer to raise the issue when they are next at the setting, or to contact the Playscheme Manager if the matter is more urgent.
Any member of staff who posts content or comments that breach confidentiality or which could harm the reputation of Clubland or other staff members, or who publishes photographs of the setting or the children, will face disciplinary action in line with our Staff Disciplinary Policy.
3. GENERAL CAUTIONS FOR USING SOCIAL MEDIA
When using social media in any context it is wise to bear in mind the following points:
- No information published via the internet is ever totally secure; if you don’t want information to become public, do not post it online
- Once an image or information is in the public domain, it is potentially there forever – Google never forgets!
4. RELATED POLICIES
See also our related policies: Data Protection Policy, Mobile Phone and Wearable Technology Policy, Safeguarding Policy and Staff Disciplinary Policy.
