Social media etiquette for CCGs

Professional use of social media some dos and donts

Do:Always consider the CCGs reputation in anything you say online Use social media as a resource to keep up to date with current thinking and best practice or for engaging with local people. Use social media to attend conferences through live streaming that you could not attend in person Feel comfortable in using social media to find out answers to problems and challenges but beware of how much information you reveal use generic circumstances. Consider whether social media is appropriate or useful in assisting you to carry out your day to day service to the public. Adapt the tone you use to the social media channel you are using. Ensure you are fully aware of information governance restrictions and advice in this area. Dont ever publish confidential material on social media channels. Do ensure you have thought about the objectives you want to achieve before deciding the channels to use. Market the fact you are there. People rarely stumble upon Facebook or Twitter feeds tell the public you are using them. Know when to get involved and when to back away. Some people simply cannot be reasoned with.

Do not:Upload confidential information of any kind to any social network. Even if its private. Get into public arguments make any claims about things unless you are sure they are true. Libel laws apply on social media as any other channel so be careful about what you say take things personally. Call into question the validity or experience of other professionals either in public or in private. Think that deleting something makes it go away. Google remembers old content for a period of time. Set up a social media presence without giving evaluation, safety, safe guarding or reputation good consideration. Bury your head in the sand if youre struggling to keep up. Ask for help. Allow your comments to be taken out of context. Give an official opinion on behalf of your CCG unless you have been authorised to do so. Forget to check which account you are posting from if you have work and personal accounts. Upload confidential information of any kind to any social network. Even if its private. Personal use of social media some dos and donts Whilst we are aware that working hours end at 5-6pm, social media changes the rules a little. If you can be easily identified as having links to the CCG then your behaviour there will reflect on the CCG, whether you want it to or not. You have no control over peoples perceptions of you and additionally, you have a responsibility to ensure problems and issues at work do not leak over into your use of social media. Never say anything on social media you would not be happy to say to your boss or your mother.

Do:Put a disclaimer on any account where you speak about your CCG role or the CCG in general stating that the opinions are you own and not those of your employer. This includes Facebook if you identify on there that you work here. Understand that this disclaimer will not protect you from your public comments being taken out of context as the Press Complaints Commission recently ruled. Friend other professionals who you meet at conferences and events, if you are comfortable doing so. Understand that as soon as you post in your work capacity on your personal account, you have crossed the line into the professional guidelines above. Do not:Tag inappropriate photos on Facebook which are public (and if theyre not beware of the friends of friends sharing setting). Make disparaging remarks about people you work with or the public you come into contact with at work, even if your privacy settings are closed.

Assume hiding a comment behind a privacy setting means it will never see the light of day. Its easy for people to take a screenshot with your words in black and white. Blur the lines between professional and personal. Keep clear boundaries about who you will and will not friend or follow and flag areas of concern to your line manager. Keep notes if necessary and remember. Make disparaging remarks about service users or colleagues even if your privacy settings are set to friends only. Assume deleting a comment means it has disappeared. Google keeps records of blogs etc and people can copy and paste or screenshot your comments for later use. Post anything privately you would not be happy showing to your manager or saying to your managers face. Write or post anything which could be used as evidence you are not fit for your post. Forget to keep a close eye on which photographs you are tagging with your name. Past situations have resulted in professionals being dismissed on the basis of their personal opinions and conduct. Be careful. Further references and articles relating to social media Social media guidance for civil servants http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/05/17/cabinet-office-launches-social-media-guidancefor-civil-servants/ Twitter guidance from the Dept of HealthA few tips on Twitter from Dept of Health http://digitalhealth.dh.gov.uk/twitter-guidance/#comment-2018 General Social Care Council guidance 2011: Professional Boundaries report. http://www.gscc.org.uk/cmsFiles/Conduct/GSCC_Professional_Boundaries_guidance_2011. pdf UK Professionals Online Safety Helpline: 0844 381 772 or helpline@saferinternet.org.uk

For further information please contact Marc Schmid on 07736008380 or email marc@redmoor-communications.co.uk Tweet me at @marcschmid