Social Media Policy

1. Purpose of this policy

 

1.1. This policy sets out how the Architects Registration Board (ARB) uses social media in support of its statutory functions under the Architects Act 1997.

1.2. ARB uses social media to:
1.2.1. Inform the public about the role of the regulator.
1.2.2. Provide information to architects on the Register (“registrants”) about standards, processes and regulatory requirements.
1.2.3. Communicate regulatory decisions and policy developments.
1.2.4. Signpost consultations, publications and formal announcements.
1.2.5. Support transparency and public confidence in the regulation of architects.

1.3. Social media forms part of ARB’s communications approach. It does not replace formal regulatory processes, consultations, statutory publications, or direct regulatory correspondence.

 

2. Statutory purpose and content

 

2.1. ARB’s use of social media must align with and support its statutory functions under the Architects Act 1997.

2.2. Accordingly:
2.2.1. Content must relate to ARB’s role as the statutory regulator of architects.
2.2.2. Messaging must support public protection, regulatory standards, and confidence in the Register.
2.2.3. Posts should prioritise clarity about regulatory requirements, professional standards, and ARB processes.
2.2.4. Social media must not be used for purposes unrelated to ARB’s regulatory remit.

2.3. All content should be consistent with ARB’s published standards, rules, and guidance.

 

3. Neutrality

 

3.1. As an independent statutory regulator, ARB must act – and be seen to act – impartially.

3.2. ARB will not:
3.2.1. Promote or endorse the services of individual architects on the Register, or their associated practices.
3.2.2. Use social media to advance the commercial interests of any registrant.
3.2.3. Express views that favour particular individuals, practices, commercial entities or interest groups.

3.3. ARB may follow or engage with other social media accounts where this supports its statutory functions or its visibility and reach on social media, including accounts belonging to public bodies, government departments, professional organisations, educational institutions, individual architects and practices.

3.4. Following, sharing, reposting or interacting with content from another account does not constitute endorsement of that organisation or individual, or their views.

 

4. Transparency and ownership

 

4.1. ARB will be transparent about the social media channels it owns and operates.

4.2. Official ARB accounts will be clearly identifiable as belonging to ARB, through the use of the name ‘Architects Registration Board’ and the ARB logo.
4.2.1. Where possible and proportionate to any associated costs, ARB will seek official verification (such as a “blue tick”) for its social media accounts. Verified         accounts help the public and stakeholders identify ARB’s official channels and reduce the risk of     impersonation.

4.3. ARB will publish a list of its official social media channels on its website.
4.3.1. ARB currently has active accounts on:
4.3.1.1. LinkedIn (page)
4.3.1.2. LinkedIn (profile)
4.3.1.3. Instagram
4.3.1.4. Facebook
4.3.1.5. Bluesky
4.3.1.6. YouTube

4.3.2. Additionally, ARB has dormant accounts on:
4.3.2.1. X
4.3.2.2. Threads

4.4. Content published on these accounts represents ARB’s corporate position, not the views of individual staff members.

4.5. Personal social media accounts of ARB Board members, staff and associates are not official ARB channels and do not represent ARB’s views.

 

5. Relationship to formal processes

 

5.1. Social media does not replace statutory or formal regulatory processes.

5.2. In particular:
5.2.1. Complaints about architects must be submitted through ARB’s formal complaints procedure.
5.2.2. Registration applications must be made through official channels.
5.2.3. Consultations will be conducted through published consultation documents and formal submission processes.
5.2.4. Statutory publications, decisions and determinations are published on ARB’s website and, where required, through formal legal mechanisms.

5.3. ARB may use social media to:
5.3.1. Announce or signpost consultations.
5.3.2. Share links to published decisions and reports.
5.3.3. Remind registrants and stakeholders of deadlines and regulatory requirements.

5.4. However, comments given in reply to ARB posts on social media and private messages will not be treated as formal submissions.

 

6. Approach to engagement, moderation and monitoring

 

6.1. ARB will maintain a professional, respectful and proportionate presence on social media.

6.2. ARB may:
6.2.1. Respond to general queries about its role and processes.
6.2.2. Correct factual inaccuracies about ARB’s statutory remit.
6.2.3. Direct users to relevant published guidance or information.

6.3. ARB will not:
6.3.1. Discuss individual complaints or ongoing investigations.
6.3.2. Provide case-specific regulatory advice in public forums.
6.3.3. Engage in prolonged or adversarial exchanges.

6.4. Engagement will be proportionate and consistent with ARB’s regulatory role.

6.5. ARB reserves the right to moderate its channels.

6.6. Content may be removed where it:
6.6.1. Is abusive, defamatory, discriminatory or unlawful.
6.6.2. Contains personal data relating to third parties.
6.6.3. Seeks to disrupt regulatory processes.
6.6.4. Is clearly unrelated to ARB’s statutory functions.

6.7. Persistent misuse of ARB’s channels may result in users or followers being blocked or restricted.

6.8. ARB’s social media channels are regularly monitored between Monday and Friday, between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm.

 

7. Accessibility

 

7.1. ARB is committed to ensuring that its communications are accessible and inclusive.

7.2. In using social media, ARB will:
7.2.1. Use clear, plain English wherever possible.
7.2.2. Seek to ensure images, videos and other media include appropriate accessibility features (such as alternative text and captions where practicable).
7.2.3. Consider the needs of diverse audiences, including members of the public, registrants and other stakeholders.

7.3. ARB’s content on social media is intended to complement, but not replace, information that is otherwise available on ARB’s website and through other channels.

 

8. Governance and review

8.1. Responsibility for ARB’s social media activity rests with its Communications function.

8.2. This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains consistent with:
8.2.1. The Architects Act 1997.
8.2.2. ARB’s Corporate Strategy and strategic objectives.