Social Media and Nannies

There are many elements to this title. The three main areas that concern us are:

1) Job advertising

We very often see nannies advertising themselves on social media.

This really does ring alarm bells. When you mention safeguarding to nannies, they instantly think about safeguarding the children within their care they don’t really consider safeguarding themselves!

By putting an advert on social media nannies are opening themselves up, sadly, to non-legitimate responses. We have seen adverts where the nanny has posted a photo of themselves along with their location and a contact telephone number and the offer to send over their CV. ( which more often than not contains their address. A subject we will be blogging about soon!)

Nannies must think about safeguarding themselves. If you are attending an interview with a family not previously vetted by a reputable nanny agency, take a friend .Any genuine family would understand

This advice is also applicable to nannies who respond to jobs advertised on social media.

2) Where do Nannies turn to for advice?

Nannies are lone workers so do not have colleagues to bounce off and managers to get advice from. Many nannies turn to social media groups to ask for advice with work-related matters. We love the support nannies offer other nannies and to a certain extent promote this. Alarm bells ring when nannies ask questions relating to:

• Employment

• Salary

• Contract

Along with nannies offering “answers” in relation to these questions the majority of these groups are run by nannies for nannies, which is brilliant, but we would like to make you aware that the “answers” are the opinions or experience of the authors. They may not be factually or, more importantly, legally correct. Remember, no two nanny jobs are the same and therefore contracts vary considerably too. Unless the person giving you, advice has sight of your terms and conditions and is in possession of all of the facts, they could unintentionally cost you dearly.

So, please think very carefully before seeking or offering your advice in a group on social media (especially regarding the topics touched on above)

Debbie, The Early Years Specialist, advise nannies to go to an association or company that is able to legally advise you

ACAS: Offer free and impartial advice to employers and employees

PACEY: Childcare & Early Years Association

VOICE: Union for education professionals

ANA: Association for Nanny Agencies

Obviously, this does not apply to the social side as many nannies and children benefit from play dates, ideas and nanny meet ups as a result of well organised social media nanny groups

3) Posting on Social Media

Safety is more than risk assessments and first aid courses. It also involves online security.

It is the nanny’s role to ensure that their charges are safe online when they are playing games or doing homework, but it is also the nanny’s role to ensure they safeguard the children when they, the nanny, use their personal social media. We believe that there should be a clause within the contract covering this.

Nannies are exposing the children by telling the outside world the children’s names, where they live, where they hang out, go to school ,how old they are and so much more. The family have no control of who sees the nanny’s personal page and how the nanny has their page privacy is set up.

Remember this isn’t just for security now it is also the child’s digital footprint for the future

If you are a nanny or nanny employer and you would like more advice on this topic then email: debbie.theearlyyearsspecialist@gmail.com to arrange a consultation

©Debbie- The Early Years Specialist

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and usefulness of the content. Debbie-The Early Years Specialist makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information for any particular purpose. The blog is provided “as is” and may not be distributed, sold or altered without prior permission from Debbie-The Early Years Specialist.