Social Media Policy

Policy Statement
The policy should be read in conjunction with the Preschool’s safeguarding and child protection policy.
The Preschool is aware and acknowledges that increasing numbers of adults and children are using social networking sites.
The widespread availability and use of social networking application bring opportunities to understand, engage and communicate with audiences in new ways. It is important that we are able to use these technologies and services effectively and flexibly. However, it is also important to ensure that we balance this with our reputation.
This policy and associated guidance are to protect staff and advise on how to deal with potential inappropriate use of social networking sites.
For example, our use of social networking applications has implications for our duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults. The policy requirements in this document aim to provide this balance to support innovation whilst providing a framework of good practice.

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure:
 - That the preschool is not exposed to legal risks;
 - That the reputation of the preschool is not adversely affected; and
 - That our users are able to clearly distinguish where information provided via social networking applications is legitimately representative of the preschool.
This guidance is to advise and protect staff from accusations of improper relationships with pupils:
SCOPE

This policy covers the use of social networking applications by all school stakeholders, including, the preschool employees, trustees and children. These groups are referred to collectively as ‘preschool representatives’ for brevity.
The requirements of this policy apply to all uses of social networking applications which are used for any school related purpose and regardless of whether the preschool representatives are contributing in an official capacity to social networking applications provided by external organisations.
Social networking applications include, but are not limited to: Blogs, for example:
 - Blogger;
 - Twitter;
 - Online discussion forums, such as netmums;
 - Collaborative spaces, such as Facebook; and
 - Media sharing services, for example YouTube
All preschool representatives should bear in mind that information they share through social networking applications, even if they are on private spaces, are still subject to copyright, data protection and Freedom of Information legislation, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and other legislation. They must also operate in line with the preschool’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
Use of Social networking sites in worktime
Use of social networking applications in work time for personal use only is not permitted, unless permission has been given by the Childcare Manager.

Social Networking as part of preschool Service
All proposals for using social networking applications as part of a preschool service must be approved first.
Use of social networking applications which are not related to preschool (for example, contributing to a wiki provided by a professional association) does not need to be approved.  However, preschool representatives must still operate in line with the requirements set out within the policy.
Preschool representatives must adhere to the following Terms of Use. The Terms of Use below apply to all uses of social networking applications by all preschool representatives. This includes, but is not limited to, public facing applications such as open discussion forums and internally facing uses such as project blogs regardless of whether they are hosted on preschool network or not.
Where applications allow the posting of messages online, users must be mindful that the right to freedom of expression attaches only to lawful conduct. Preschool expects that users of social networking applications will always exercise the right of freedom of expression with due consideration for the rights of others and strictly in accordance with these Terms of Use.

Social Networking applications and their use
• Must not be used to publish any content which may result in actions for defamation, discrimination, breaches of copyright, data     protection or other claim for damages. This includes but is not limited to material of an illegal, sexual or offensive nature that    may bring the preschool into disrepute;
• Must not be used for the promotion of personal financial interests, commercial ventures or personal campaigns;
• Must not be used in an abusive or hateful manner;
• Must not be used for actions that would put preschool representatives in breach of staff codes of conduct or policies relating to  staff;
• Must not breach the preschool’s misconduct, equal opportunities or bullying and harassment
 policies;
• Must not be used to discuss or advise any matters relating to preschool matters, staff, children or parents;
• No staff member should have a pupil or former pupil under the age of 18 as a ‘friend’ with whom they share information;
• Employees should not identify themselves as a representative of the preschool;
• References should not be made to any staff member, child, parent or school activity / event unless prior permission has been  obtained and agreed; and
• Staff should be aware that if their out-of-work activity causes potential embarrassment for the employer or detrimentally affects     the employer’s reputation then the employer is entitled to take disciplinary action.
Violation of this policy will be considered as gross misconduct and can result in disciplinary action being taken against the   employee up to and including termination of employment.

Guidance/protection for staff using social networking sites
• No member of staff should interact with any ex-pupil in the school on social networking sites who is under the age of 18;
• This means that no member of the school staff should request access to a pupil’s area on the social networking site. Neither           should they permit the pupil access to the staff member’s area e.g. by accepting them as a friend;
• Where family and friends have pupils in school and there are legitimate family links, please inform preschool;
• It is illegal for an adult to network, giving their age and status as a child; and
• If you have any evidence of anyone using social networking sites in the working day, please contact the named DSL in preschool.

Child protection guidance
If a disclosure is received that an adult employed by the school is using a social networking site in an inappropriate manner as detailed above, they should:
- Record the disclosure in line with their child protection policy;
- Preschool must refer the matter to the LADO who will investigate;
- Contact the DSL;
- Contact the Trustees;
- If the disclosure has come from a parent, take normal steps to calm the parent and explain processes;
- If disclosure comes from a member of staff, try to maintain confidentiality;
- The LADO will advise whether the member of staff should be suspended pending investigation after contact with the police. It is     not recommended that action is taken until advice has been given; and
- If disclosure is from a child, follow your normal process in your child protection policy until the police investigation has been         carried out.


This Policy was adopted by        Birley Community Preschool
On                                         15/09/2022 (Date)
To be reviewed                          15/09/2023 (Date)
 
Signed on behalf on the provider by
Manager                                      _________________________
Deputy Manager                             _________________________

Name of Signatory                          Sharon Hopkinson- Manager
                                                Jayne Humphreys- Deputy Manager