Management queries: Advice on dealing with inappropriate social media posts

Q. I have seen that an older staff member, who has been with us for many years, has been posting comments on social media in favour of smacking children, saying that it is a form of discipline that gains respect. We would never allow such action in the nursery and I have no complaints with her conduct at work, but I’m concerned parents might have seen her posts. How should I address this?

Dhanvanti Deshmukh, nursery manager, London Early Years Foundation Weir Link Day Nursery and Preschool

‘It is important to remind the staff member of the nursery's professional behaviour expectations. These include the social media policy. We have clear expectations that staff will not make personal suggestions or comments on social media that could be viewed as controversial. It is clear that these sorts of comments would make parents feel uncomfortable and would have an impact on our nursery.

‘Managers also have a role to protect their staff, and it is worth considering her viewpoint and what personal experience may have led her to hold such views. Why does she think smacking is a form of discipline? It may be OK in some countries or some cultures. There are a lot of grey areas within UK legislation. In England it is illegal for teachers, nursery workers and childcare workers to smack another person's child. It is also unlawful for a parent or carer to smack their child, except where this amounts to “reasonable punishment”. But Scotland and Wales have both banned smacking. Even if this member of staff is not doing smacking, she is advocating unacceptable behaviour.

‘You need to challenge her thought process. If she is a good staff member, it is worth investing in her and educating her. Ask her, does smacking help children learn respect, or fear? Does smacking a child show them respect? What does this sort of attitude instil in children? Then you can help her understand that it is wrong.’

Sophie Micallef, early years leader, Belmont Infants School

‘I would speak to the member of staff and frame the conversation around the setting's code of conduct. Our code includes guidance around what staff post on social media. Staff need to be professional.

‘I would ask her to take down the posts and also give her a deadline by which to do this. I would also advise her to check her privacy settings on any social media platforms she uses. Are they set so only people who know her can read what she posts?

‘Since 2022, the Department for Education's statutory guidance has included safer recruitment practices that suggest schools do online searches on prospective employees. This is part of our safeguarding pre-employment check now. It would be worth reminding this member of staff that her conduct would have affected whether she had been hired or not, and will also impact her prospects.

‘I would also recommend asking the practitioner if she really is in favour of smacking. Reiteratethat such behaviour is completely unacceptable within education. Try to have a mindful conversation with her – perhaps she would like, or needs, more training.

‘After the conversation, I recommend the setting monitors her social media.’

Kyla Fory, nursery manager, Watermead Nursery

‘I would approach this by asking the staff member to have a private chat. I would begin the conversation by saying that, obviously, she is entitled to her own opinions. However, it is inappropriate to be posting views that go against our nursery's values.

‘I would refer the team member to our staff handbook. We have a reputation as a nursery and if anybody reading those posts, such as a parent, knew that she worked with us, it could bring the nursery into disrepute.

‘It is also important to refer her to the safeguarding handbook and safeguarding policies and procedures. If she needs help understanding how to manage children's behaviour, you might want to recap how to do that in a positive manner. She should be reminded that if smacking ever happened in the nursery, she would face disciplinary action.

‘As there is no implication she has actually smacked a child, I would only share this information with the senior management team. I appreciate with social media, people can get into all manner of battles or put their views on things in the heat of the moment. Maybe she got carried away. But it is important to remind staff to manage their actions.’