Social Media policy

Twitter Policy

The National Elf Service uses Twitter, a free messaging service offered by a third party, as one tool in its efforts to communicate clearly, quickly and in an engaging manner to people interested in our work. You can follow us:

  • National Elf Service @NatElfService
  • Mental Elf: @Mental_Elf
  • Commissioning Elf: @CommissionElf
  • Dental Elf: @TheDentalElf
  • Diabetes Elf: @Diabetes_Elf
  • Education Elf: @EducationElf
  • Learning Disabilities Elf: @LearningDisElf
  • Musculoskeletal elf: @MSK_Elf
  • Lifestyle elf: @LifestyleElf
  • Child elf: @TheChildElf
  • Stroke Elf: @TheStrokeElf
  • Social Care Elf: @SocialCareElf

Twitter content delivered by the National Elf Service includes (but is not limited to):

  • Links to news releases, blog posts, videos, guidance and other approved, publicly available National Elf Service material
  • Links to relevant information produced and published elsewhere (work of other organisations, researchers, news organisations and others). This can include videos, blog posts, and retweets (RTs) from other Twitter users. (See below for our policy on RTs.)
  • Interesting facts, quotes or observations related to our work
  • Topical questions related to our work intended to provoke discussion

Retweets (RTs)

Tweets we repeat (RT) do not imply endorsement on the part of the National Elf Service. We may retweet news, links and personal observations we believe are relevant to the work we do.

Twitter as a source of official policy

Tweets should not be considered as the authoritative source of new policy or guidance from the National Elf Service. Any change or evolution in the National Elf Service’s official position on legislation, guidance, investigations and audits will be communicated through more traditional channels: official publications and statements on our website, speeches, and media releases. Importantly, our decision to RT should not be taken as explicit endorsement of any position or argument that may vary from The National Elf Service’s current official position, nor should it be taken as an indication of a possible shift in the current official position.

Following

The National Elf Service’s decision to follow a particular Twitter user does not imply endorsement of any kind. We follow accounts on Twitter we believe are relevant to our work. This could include following the Twitter accounts of companies and other commercial enterprises (and/or their employees) who comment on related issues.

Availability

We commit to updating and monitoring our Twitter account during regular office hours: 0900 – 1730, GMT. However, like many Twitter users, we may monitor and respond at other times of the day. We accept no responsibility for lack of service due to Twitter downtime.

@Replies and Direct Messages

We will read all @replies and Direct Messages sent to us and, when possible, will respond to them.

Complaints, media requests and personal issues

We encourage you to follow traditional channels to make a media request, freedom of information (FOI) request or complaint.

National Elf Service staff tweeting

Some National Elf Service staff tweet under their own names or pseudonyms. Despite their professional affiliation with the National Elf Service, their tweets do not represent the official position of the National Elf Service, and should be considered the product of each individual as a private citizen.