Professional Boundaries, Information Sharing & Online Contact
Professional Boundaries, Information Sharing & Online Contact
Being supportive does not mean becoming personally involved.
Professional boundaries protect the person, the employee and the integrity of the safeguarding response. Staff should not create private relationships with children or vulnerable people they meet through work, exchange personal social-media details, accept inappropriate gifts or use safeguarding information for gossip.
Need-to-know information+
Share safeguarding information only with people who require it for the response, investigation, welfare or legal process. Avoid open radio channels for sensitive personal detail unless specifically required.
Private contact+
Do not add a child or vulnerable customer on social media, arrange private meetings or continue personal messaging after the event. Use approved organisational channels.
Photography and recordings+
Do not photograph safeguarding situations on a personal phone. Preserve CCTV, body-worn video or other official evidence through the authorised process.
Allegations about staff+
Concerns about a colleague, contractor or manager must be escalated through the appropriate safeguarding/management route. Seniority does not remove the need to report.
Do not let sympathy, familiarity or pressure cause you to bypass safeguarding procedure or confidentiality.
Knowledge check
A vulnerable customer asks to add you on social media so they can contact you later. What is the best response?
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