How professionalism still matters in your personal social media

Tips for professionalism on social media

Social media is part of everyday life – somewhere we celebrate wins, keep in touch with people, raise the profile of our profession and share the things that matter to us. But as occupational therapists, the line between our personal and professional selves can get blurred without us even noticing.

Even when you're posting ‘just as you,’ you’re still an HCPC‑registered professional, and what you share can influence how the public sees you, the trust people have in our profession and the confidence of people using our services.

Would your social media presence reflect the values and professional standards you aim to uphold as an occupational therapist?

Why your personal posts matter

HCPC’s Guidance on the use of social media reminds us that the same standards of conduct apply whether you’re using a personal or professional account.

That means being aware of how your personal beliefs, values or tone online could impact people’s access to services – even unintentionally.

Social media also has a way of softening boundaries. A friendly comment or a quick reply might feel harmless, but HCPC is clear that professional boundaries online should be treated just as seriously as those in face‑to‑face practice.

Any communication with people who use services must always remain appropriate and professional.

RCOT’s guidance for members

RCOT’s Professional standards for practice, conduct and ethics echo this. They highlight the importance of being thoughtful and accountable for what you post. In essence, you take responsibility for how you use digital platforms, making sure what you share doesn’t damage confidence in your practice, your employer or the wider profession.

It also reminds us that what we post – words, photos, opinions and so on – can reach a wide audience. If you’re known or identifiable as an OT, people may assume your posts represent not just you, but your profession or workplace too.

You should also familiarise yourself with our own social media policy.

Top tips for maintaining professionalism on personal social media

Before you post, comment, reply or share, think and ask whether your content:

• avoids sharing any identifiable service‑user information
• keeps professional boundaries clear
• follow your workplace’s social media policies
• uses the right privacy settings (but don’t rely on these completely).