Many school employees use the web and social networking services such as Facebook, Flikr and Ning for work-related projects or for personal use.  Whilst school employees are private individuals, they also have professional reputations and careers to maintain. 

Staff are strongly advised, in their own interests, to take steps to ensure that their personal data is not accessible to anybody who does not have permission to access it.  All staff also need to be aware that parents and pupils may carry out web and social network service searches to find on-line information about staff - background, interests, career experiences and self-presentation.  All staff, perhaps especially new staff in training and induction, need to be advised to ensure that information available publicly about them is accurate and appropriate.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of recent e-safety incidents relating to the use of social networking sites by staff working in Northumberland schools, including instances of identity theft and cyberbullying of staff.

The document 'Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who work with Children and Young People', commissioned by the DCSF, provides clear advice on appropriate and safe behaviours for all adults working with children in paid or unpaid capacities, in all settings and in all contexts.  Sections 3.12 Communication with Children and Young People (including the use of Technology) and 3.13 Social Contact are very relevant, in particular:

• not to use internet or web-based communication channels to send personal messages to a child/young person,
  or their parents

• have no secret social contact with children and young people or their parents

• not to give their personal contact details to children or young people, including their parents

• understand that some communications may be called into question and need to be justified

In addition, adults in schools are advised to ensure that they enable all privacy and security settings on their social networking accounts, including the prevention of messages being sent to them as a result of an internet search.  This will prevent young people accessing and potentially misusing their personal information, or making inappropriate contact.

For further information please see: Cyberbullying: Supporting School Staff  ref: DCSF-00242-2009, April 2009

If you require further information regarding e-safety, please contact John Devlin, SEN/ICT Consultant
                                                   email: john.devlin@northumberland.gov.uk