Stalmine Social Networking Policy 2014

Stalmine Primary School Social Networking Policy

Rationale The aim of this document is to provide advice and guidance for employees of, and volunteers at Stalmine Primary School regarding the use of social networking sites.

Background The use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and Twitter is a significant form of communication between friends and family. In addition there are many other sites which allow people to publish their own pictures, text and videos such as YouTube and blogging sites.

It would not be reasonable to expect or instruct employees not to use these sites which, if used with caution, should have no impact whatsoever on their role in school. It is naïve and outdated however to believe that use of such sites provides a completely private platform for personal communications. Even when utilised sensibly and with caution employees are vulnerable to their personal details being exposed to a wider audience than they might otherwise have intended. One example of this is when photographs and comments are published by others without the employees consent or knowledge which may portray the employee in a manner which is not compatible with their role in school.

Difficulties arise when staff utilise these sites and they do not have the knowledge or skills to ensure adequate security and privacy settings. In addition there have been cases nationally when employees deliberately use these sites to communicate with and/or form inappropriate relationships with children and young people.

Code of Conduct Employees who choose to make use of social networking site/media should:• ensure that they familiarise themselves with the 'privacy settings' of sites in order to ensure that information is not automatically shared with a wider audience than intended •

not conduct public online “conversations” which relate to school matters

•

not conduct or portray themselves in a manner which may:o bring the school into disrepute o lead to valid parental complaints o be deemed as derogatory towards the school and/or its employees/volunteers

o be deemed as derogatory towards pupils and/or parents and carers

•

•

o bring into question their appropriateness to work with children and young people not form online “friendships” or enter into communication with parents/carers and pupils as this could lead to professional relationships being compromised * not form online “friendships” and communication with former pupils under the age of 18 years*

* In some cases workers in school are related to parents/carers and/or pupils OR are associated with them for other professional reasons and have formed online “friendships”. In these cases, workers in school must be aware that the nature of such relationships may have changed and that they need to be aware of the risks of continuing with this method of contact.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A WORKER IN SCHOOL HAVE AN ONLINE “FRIENDSHIP” WITH ANY CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 14, AS THIS IS ILLEGAL.

Safeguarding Issues Communicating with both current and former pupils via social networking sites or via other non-school related mechanisms such as personal emails and personal text messaging can lead to employees being vulnerable to serious allegations concerning the safeguarding of children and young people.

School Procedures Stalmine Primary School continually reviews e-safety policies & procedures in the light of new emerging technologies. This policy should be read alongside the school’s Child Protection Policy.

This policy is shared with all staff who come into contact with children and young people and is specifically referred to when inducting new members of staff and volunteers.

Disciplinary action may be taken in relation to any worker in school who chooses not to follow the specific guidance outlined above.

If there is any doubt whatsoever about whether or not to post comments, photos or videos – don’t!

The following tables are offered as a quick guide to what is appropriate or inappropriate, these guides are not exhaustive.

Appropriate 1. Set your privacy settings for any social networking site.

2. Ensure any technological equipment, (including your mobile phone) is password/ PIN protected.

3. Consider having professional online accounts/ identities if you wish to have online contact with service users, their families and other professionals. Never give parents/ pupils your private email address.

4. Make sure that all publicly available information about you is accurate and appropriate

Inappropriate 1. Give your personal information to service users -children/ young people, their parents/ carers. This includes mobile phone numbers, social networking accounts, personal website/ blog URLs, online image storage sites, passwords etc.

2. Use your personal mobile phone to communicate with service users. This includes phone calls, texts, emails, social networking sites, etc.

3. Use the internet or web-based communication to send personal messages to children/young people

4. Share your personal details with service users on a social network site 5. Remember online conversations may be referred to as ‘chat’ but they are written documents and should always be treated as such.

6. Make sure that you know the consequences of misuse of digital equipment.

7. If you are unsure who can view online material, assume it is public. Remember once information is online you have relinquished control.

8. Switch off Bluetooth (this may be especially difficult if using hands free car telephone)

9. When you receive any new equipment (personal or private) make sure that you know what features it has as standard and take appropriate action to disable/ protect.

5. Add/allow a service user to join your contacts/friends list on personal social networking profiles.

6. Use your own digital camera/ video for work. This includes integral cameras on mobile phones.

7. Play online games with service users.

Reviewed January 2014 Adopted by Standards and Effectiveness Committee on behalf of the Governing Body 22nd January 2014 To be reviewed at the Resources Committee meeting January 2015