How To Use Whisper In Your Community
Ensuring your community feels safe can be challenging, especially when individuals are hesitant to report concerns in person. Many young people and adults struggle to share sensitive issues, which can leave them feeling isolated and unsupported.
Whisper provides a solution: an anonymous reporting tool that integrates into your safeguarding strategy, allowing everyone in your community to raise concerns safely and confidentially.
This guide explains how current Whisper subscribers can use the platform and how schools or organisations can benefit from introducing it.
What is Whisper?
Whisper is an anonymous reporting tool designed to support safeguarding efforts within schools, youth settings, and community organisations. It allows individuals to report concerns, ask for help, or share sensitive information without revealing their identity. Whisper can be accessed via:
Web forms on your organisation’s site
SMS messaging to a dedicated number
Anonymous chat, enabling direct communication with safeguarding leads
By providing a safe and accessible channel, Whisper helps ensure that concerns are heard, understood, and addressed promptly.
Why Should My Organisation Use Whisper?
1. Supporting Safeguarding Practices
Whisper complements existing safeguarding protocols by providing a safe, anonymous environment for community members to share concerns. It is particularly effective for:
Bullying
Mental health or well-being concerns
Issues at home or within the community
By allowing concerns to be raised confidentially, staff can respond proactively before issues escalate, ensuring safeguarding measures are implemented effectively.
2. Tracking Trends and Patterns
Whisper provides your organisation with insights into safeguarding trends. Anonymous reporting helps identify patterns of behaviour or recurring issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. This information enables:
Early intervention
Targeted support for individuals or groups
Prioritisation of community well-being
Professionals such as teachers, safeguarding leads, and support staff can use these insights to improve overall safeguarding practices.
Benefits of Using Whisper
Quick and Accessible Solutions
Whisper allows community members to report concerns in the way that suits them best: online, via SMS, or through anonymous chat. Key features include:
Immediate email alerts for new reports
Direct anonymous chat with safeguarding professionals
Secure handling of sensitive information
These features ensure concerns are addressed quickly and appropriately, without forcing users to share personally identifiable information.
User-Friendly and Flexible
Whisper is simple to use, even for individuals who are unfamiliar with technology. Its flexibility includes:
Customisable reporting tools for schools or organisations
Easy management of reports for safeguarding staff
Support from the SWGfL team for onboarding, training, and ongoing guidance
Subscribers also gain access to the Whisper knowledgebase, providing expert guidance whenever needed.
Introducing Whisper to Your Community
To make Whisper an effective part of your safeguarding strategy, it is important to introduce it clearly and consistently. Promote it so that your community understands its purpose and ease of use, encouraging honesty, trust, and safety.
Effective Introduction Strategies
Posters around the community to maintain awareness
Website messaging to inform parents, students, and staff
Email templates for notifying stakeholders
SWGfL provides a range of customisable templates to support communications with parents, young people, and staff.
Access Whisper Promotional Resources
Getting Started with Whisper
Integrating Whisper into your community creates a safe and secure environment where everyone feels empowered to share concerns and well-being issues confidently.
Whisper is suitable for:
Primary and secondary schools
Multi-academy trusts (MATs)
Youth organisations
For organisations not yet subscribed, learning more about Whisper can support you in enhancing safeguarding efforts. Please find out more about the tool, alongside discounts, which make Whisper accessible to all communities.