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NSDC Housing Services Facebook Page

NSDC Housing Services Facebook Page Community Guidelines

Fostering a respectful, informative, and supportive online community

In the spirit of building a vibrant, inclusive, and safe space for all our tenants, these Community Guidelines set the standards for participation on the NSDC Housing Services Facebook page. By engaging with our page, you agree to abide by the principles and rules outlined below. Our aim is to ensure that every member of our community feels welcome, respected, and empowered to receive information relevant to their tenancy and neighbourhood.

1. Purpose of the page

The NSDC Housing Tenants Facebook page exists to:

  • Share official news and updates from the District Council that impacts their tenants and neighbourhoods.
  • Provide important information about housing services, maintenance, and events.
  • Foster a sense of community and encourage positive constructive dialogue among residents and the council.

2. Community values

We are committed to maintaining a page that reflects the district’s values and priorities:

  • Respect: Treat all members - residents, staff, and visitors - with civility and kindness.
  • Inclusivity: Celebrate the diversity of our community by ensuring that everyone feels welcome, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or background.
  • Support: Encourage helpfulness among members, signposting those in need to relevant services and resources.

3. Commenting and messaging guidelines

To maintain a positive and productive environment, please observe the following rules when commenting or messaging on the page:

  • Be respectful: Avoid offensive language, personal attacks, or inflammatory remarks. Disagreements should be expressed thoughtfully and courteously.
  • No discrimination: Content that is racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory will not be tolerated and will be removed.
  • No bullying or harassment: Threatening, intimidating, or harassing other members or council staff is strictly prohibited.
  • Protect privacy: Do not share personal or sensitive information - yours or others’- such as addresses, phone numbers, or account details.
  • No spam or self-promotion: Unrelated advertisements, promotions, or repetitive posts are not allowed. This includes promoting businesses, services, or events not endorsed by the council.
  • No misinformation: Only share information that is accurate and relevant. Posts containing false or misleading information about council services, policies, or other tenants will be removed.
  • Use appropriate language: Profanity, obscene content, or graphic images are not permitted.
  • One account per person: Individuals should participate using their true identity and not create multiple accounts to evade moderation.
  • If a customer submits a complaint, repair or a question about their tenancy via the Facebook page, they will be contacted to be advised that their query will be progressed via a different method to ensure confidentiality and privacy is maintained. While this page encourages engagement on posts, there are more efficient ways to ask queries like this.
  • Any disrespect, repeated spam messaging on multiple posts or abusive response to this will not be tolerated and risk removal from the page.
  • Respecting Council colleagues: Newark and Sherwood District Council employees deserve respect, and any tenants should not personally attack staff. Any comment regarding a staff member deemed in an abusive or negative way will not be tolerated.

Anyone who breaks any of the above risks being removed from the page.

4. Moderation protocol

The page is actively moderated by designated council staff to protect the integrity of the community. Our approach to moderation includes:

  • Reviewing comments to ensure compliance with these guidelines.
  • Removing content that violates our rules, with or without prior warning depending on severity.
  • Issuing warnings to users who breach the guidelines. Repeated or serious breaches may result in temporary or permanent removal from the page.
  • Responding promptly to reports of inappropriate content or behaviour.
  • Ensuring transparency in moderation decisions where possible, while respecting privacy.

5. Reporting concerns

If you encounter content or behaviour that violates these guidelines, please:

  • Use Facebook’s reporting tools to alert page administrators.

6. Handling disputes

We understand that disagreements may occasionally arise. To address conflicts constructively:

  • We will engage respectfully, seeking understanding and resolution.
  • If a dispute escalates, moderators may step in to mediate or, if necessary, restrict participation to maintain harmony.
  • Persistent disruptive behaviour may result in removal from the community.

7. Council communications

Communications from the council will appear as posts or comments from the official District Council Housing account. Note:

  • Official information, event announcements, and urgent updates will always come from the council’s verified profile.
  • If you receive direct communications from individuals claiming to represent the council but using personal profiles, please verify their status before sharing any information.

8. Personal support and sensitive issues

The Facebook page is a public platform and not suitable for addressing sensitive or confidential housing issues. For such matters:

  • Contact the District Council directly via phone, email, or in-person visit.
  • Do not post personal grievances or details about ongoing cases on the page.
  • Our moderation team may remove posts that include private information for your own protection.

9. Events and promotions

  • The council may promote housing-related events, workshops, consultations, surveys, or community meetings on the page.
  • Residents wishing to share event information relevant to the district’s housing community must seek prior approval from administrators.

10. Page availability and content removal

  • The Council reserves the right to limit, restrict, or temporarily close comments and posts during periods of high activity or in response to breaches of these guidelines.
  • Content may be removed and comments hidden at the discretion of the moderators, especially when it contravenes our values or Facebook’s Community Standards.
  • The Council reserves the rights to turn off comments entirely for the foreseeable future if the guidelines are continuously broken or if the District Council believes it is necessary.

11. Data protection and privacy

  • Content shared on this page is visible to all members and may be seen by the wider public.
  • We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with relevant data protection laws. Do not post personal data, and do not request others to do so.
  • For more information about how the council collects and handles data, please refer to our Data Protection Policy, linked on our website: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/privacynotice/ .

12. Updates to guidelines

  • These Community Guidelines may be updated to reflect changes in policy, Facebook’s terms, or the needs of our community.
  • Major updates will be communicated via the page. Continued participation constitutes acceptance of the current version of the guidelines.

13. Contact Information

For questions about the page, housing services, or these guidelines, please contact the District Council Housing team through:

We thank all residents and visitors for being part of our online community and for helping to build a safer, kinder, and more informed space for everyone.