Thing 5: Social Media

Social Media is continuously growing and spreading out into different areas and different branches of the internet.  It has an impact on both our personal and professional lives and influences how other people in our community and the wider world view us. As a result of this social media can be a great tool to have in our toolbox as practitioners, however it must be used with caution. 

I work for a private nursery that belongs to a large company and they have set policies and procedures when it comes to social media of all forms. The SSSC also their own policy that you must adhere to when you are registered by them as a worker in the social services sector, Code 5.8 of the Code of Practice for Social Service Workers states -

I will not behave, while in or outside work, in a way which would bring my suitability to work in social services into question.

These policies are there for the protection of you, your employer and the service users and therefor must be taken seriously and considered whenever you post on social media.

In your personal life the easiest way to protect everyone is use common sense when posting on your accounts and review your privacy settings regularly, making sure you only make public what you intended to.

When using social media for work wither it be accounts, pages or groups it is best to keep it simple, accurate and professional. Keeping your policies in mind and executing common sense.

The last thing to remember is responsibility, no-matter what you post or why, you are responsible for your content and you alone.

Rebecca