Whatsappening in your Whatsapp Group

In the Union Advice Service, each year advisors will be invited to support students through the Professional Conduct and Professional Suitability procedure due to inappropriate social media use. Particularly, we find that students join group chats with their cohort for support and sometimes the conversations that take place can be considered unprofessional or a breach of their code of conduct, resulting in the PCPS process.

Our three main goals

  • To encourage safe and appropriate social media use
  • To raise awareness of the PCPS process and the implications this can have
  • To promote the advice service and the support we can offer

Our plans

  • At the beginning of May, we are visiting OFGS, Chesterfield and Kedleston Road to engage with students around the topic of professional whatsapp use.
  • Through phone related games and freebies, we want to engage with as many professional students as possible.

Benefits of Social Media

  • Can help to build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues
  • Can be used to establish or access supportive network and be a place to discuss specific issues and interests
  • A place to access resources for continuing professional development

Things to consider

  1. Be mindful

    Be mindful of sharing controversial opinions. Whilst group chats can be used to express yourself, if you are sharing hurtful or derogatory opinions, this could lead to students reporting you for breaching your professional code of conduct. Remember that messages and posts may be taken out of context.  Assume that what you post can be viewed and shared by anyone. We recommend ensuring your social media platforms are private.

  2. Don't share confidential information

    Don’t share confidential information. Whatsapp is not a professional platform and therefore should not be used to discuss any client/service user information or concerns. If working in a school, you should not be discussing the children you teach; if working in a hospital, you should not discuss the patients you care for. For consent to be valid, it must be voluntary and informed, and the person giving consent must have the capacity to make the decision.

  3. Don't discuss grievances

    Be careful of who you are discussing. If you are unhappy with a particular lecturer or manager on placement, be mindful of how you express this to your friends on Whatsapp or other social media platforms. You should evidence that you are able to resolve any concerns you have in a professional manner by raising these with the appropriate people (programme leader, placement supervisor etc). If you are found to be making rude comments about staff, you could be invited to a PCPS meeting.

  4. Be nice

    You should always treat people with kindness, respect and compassion. There may be times on your course where you dislike your peer. It’s important that you are mindful of how you treat others. Whatsapp and other platforms should not be used as to express your dislike about anybody. This could be considered bullying and will not be tolerated at the University.

  5. Maintain professional boundaries

    Whilst some professionals find social media a good way of communicating to their colleagues, it may blur the boundaries between personal and 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.   

  6. When in doubt, seek advice

    If you think it may be offensive or below professional standards, it’s better not to post. However, if you’re unsure you can seek advice from the Advice Service at the Union and professional bodies.

When you are employed, you will need to follow your employers social media policy.

To populate this information, we used the following for guidance: