1. Social Work and Social Media
A discussion forum to examine guidance on the use of social media and explore best practice considering professional boundaries
Prepared by Susan Rutter (Principal Social Worker) 2018

2. Exercise
Story Nov care worker loses job over a Facebook post- was that fair?
Read and discuss the case in small groups.
What are your thoughts on the case from a professional perspective?

3. Professional Boundaries
Social work practice is challenging and social workers regularly face complex and difficult situations. One important responsibility that social workers have is ensuring that the relationships they have with service users and services users’ friends and families are professional relationships.

4. What are professional boundaries?
A definition of the term ‘professional boundary’ is the “boundary between what is acceptable and unacceptable for a professional both at work and outside work”. The emphasis here should be placed on the word 'professional': some behaviour
will always be unacceptable whether or not an individual is a professional. Professional boundaries, though, concern behaviour that is acceptable or unacceptable in light of the fact that an individual is a professional.
The term ‘professional boundaries’ is not restricted to sexual behaviour - it includes such behaviour but also other behaviour which has a negative impact on a service user(s) and/or which undermines public trust and confidence in social care services.

5. Power Imbalance-occurs because of the following factors:
Social workers have access to intimate knowledge about service users and about their significant others

At the point when social workers become involved,
a service user may be distressed, confused and/or suffering from mental illness
Social workers may be working with individuals where the possibility of statutory intervention is present: the removal of a child from a family or the compulsory admission of someone who is mentally ill
Social workers may be making significant decisions regarding service users’ access to resources.

6. Power Imbalance
This power imbalance should not be regarded negatively, but should be acknowledged as
a fundamental aspect of such relationships. The power that social workers have helps to
put them in a position where they can help service users to make positive changes in their lives. However, this power can also be abused. The existence of this power imbalance should be a central consideration when social workers form and manage their relationships with service users, their friends and family, and also with ex-service users.
In general terms, social workers need to ensure that they act in the best interests of service users. Service users’ interests can, though, conflict with each other - for instance when working with a parent and a child - and there are situations where the broader interests of society must take precedent, such as when a service user constitutes a risk to others. These are some of the complexities that social workers confront in their work.
The relationship between the social worker and service user can be misconstrued by the service user. In some cases it may be the service user who attempts to act in a way that, if reciprocated, would result in a social worker breaching professional boundaries.

7. Professional Responsibility
Regardless of this, it is always the responsibility of the
social worker to ensure that the relationship remains a professional one and that the service user understands the social worker’s role in their life.
Working closely with individuals in difficult circumstances for considerable periods of time can also result in strong emotions, whether positive or negative, on the part of social workers towards those they work with or vice versa. Social workers need
to be conscious of, and be reflective regarding, these emotions. Social workers need to be sure that the judgements that they make are professional judgements, grounded in social work values.

8. Exercise
Think about an example from your practice or something which you became aware of from the practice of others, during your social work career, which was a professional boundary dilemma or issue.
How was this matter handled and was there anything that could have been done differently?

9. Exercise
Considering how you currently use media/ social media in the workplace discuss your thoughts/concerns in relation to maintaining professional boundaries

10. British Association of Social Work (BASW) Social Media Policy 2012
BASW recognises that there are opportunities and challenges for social workers with the use of social media
Social workers should ensure that their online presence is professionally appropriate.
Social workers should use social media as a positive platform for exchanging ideas and knowledge and to promote the social work profession, being aware that they are acting as ambassadors for social work when they are on-line.
Social workers should apply the same principles, expectations and standards for interacting and communicating with people online as in other areas of practice.
Social workers should maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries in their relationships with service users and colleagues, recognising that not to do so could be detrimental to themselves, their careers, service users, other individuals and employers.

11. BASW
Social workers need to be vigilant to keep their own identity safe and that of friends and families. Social workers need to consider the implication and risks of putting personal information on sites such as work, contact details and photos of work colleagues and should not do so if they think their privacy and safety will be compromised. They may want to ask family and friends to bear this in mind when posting information, as for example inappropriate pictures could open them up to criticism or pictures of their family online could create difficulties.
Social workers should ensure that personal communication and work communication are separate.
For example, it is not appropriate to “accept” service users and their carers as online ‘friends’ in a personal network, as it creates a personal relationship outside of the workplace. It could also be used as evidence in conduct hearings.
Social workers should share information appropriately and be responsible for what is posted, using their professional judgment.
Social workers should consider the effect of their use of social media on their reputation and that of their employer.
Social workers should also think carefully about how their postings could affect service users and their own careers and not bring the profession into disrepute.

12. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 2017 Guidance on Social Media
HCPC acknowledges that social media has benefits
develop and share their skills and knowledge
help the public understand what they do
network with other professionals nationally and internationally
raise the profile of their profession

13. HCPC 2017 Guidance on Social Media
Do not post inappropriate or offensive material. Use your professional judgement in deciding whether to post or share something.
Think before you post. Assume that what you post could be shared and read by anyone.
If you are employed, follow your employer’s social media policy.
Think about who can see what you share and manage your privacy settings accordingly. Remember that privacy settings cannot guarantee that something you post will not be publicly visible.
When in doubt, get advice. Appropriate sources might include experienced colleagues, trade unions and professional bodies. You can also contact HCPC if you are unsure about their standards. If you think something could be inappropriate or offensive, do not post it.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries if you communicate with colleagues, service users or carers.
Keep on posting! Social media can be beneficial for continuous professional development. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t keep on using it with confidence.
Do not post information which could identify a service user unless you have their permission.

14. HCPC- applying the standards
Communicate appropriately
Use all forms of communication appropriately and responsibly, including social media and networking websites
Apply the same professional standards when using social media as you would when communicating in other ways. Be polite and respectful, and avoid using language that others might reasonably consider to be inappropriate or offensive. Use your professional judgement in deciding whether to post or share something. Remember that comments or posts may be taken out of context, or made visible to a wider audience than originally intended.

15. HCPC applying the standards
Be honest and trustworthy
You must make sure that your conduct justifies the public’s trust and confidence in you and your profession.
You must make sure that any promotional activities you are involved in are accurate and are not likely to mislead.

16. HCPC applying the standards
Respect confidentiality
Treat information about service users as confidential
Keep your relationships with service users and carers professional
If you include content relating to your professional role on a personal account or vice versa, think about whether you would be happy for these different audiences to see the material you post. Think carefully about what you share and who can see it.
Even if you have the highest level of privacy settings, something you share online can quickly be copied and redistributed to a much wider audience. This means a post can stay in the public domain after you delete it. Try to stay up to date with any changes to the privacy settings of the social media you use. If you are unsure whether to post something, stop and get advice first from an experienced colleague, professional body or trade union.

17. HCPC applying the standards
Maintain appropriate boundaries
Service users may still be able to find and contact you through your personal social media account. If this happens, HCPC recommend that you refuse friend requests..
When you post information about another person on social media, think about whether it is appropriate to share that information. If the information could allow a service user to be identified, you must not put it on a site without their permission. This information could include details about their personal life, health or circumstances, or images relating to their care.
It is just as important to maintain appropriate boundaries when using social media as it would be if you were communicating by any other method. You must always communicate with service users in a professional way.
You might decide to set up a separate professional account where you provide general information for service users and the public. If you are employed and plan to use this account to have direct contact with service users, you should first agree with your employer whether this is appropriate.

18. Exercise
Consider the conduct hearing and discuss your views on this in relation to professional practice

19. References
General Social Care Council- Professional Boundaries Guidance for Social Workers (2009)
British Association of Social Work- Social Media Policy (2012)
The Health and Care Professions Council - Guidance on Social Media (2017)