What is Whisper?
Whisper is a secure reporting service provided by SWGfL for schools and youth communities. It allows students, staff, parents, and community members to report concerns safely, either through a web form or an SMS service with a school-specific code. Users can remain anonymous, providing personal details only if they choose.
Who Can Use Whisper?
Whisper is open to the whole community, including students, young people, parents, staff, and local community members. It is especially useful for reporting issues affecting the safety and wellbeing of children, young people, or staff.
How to Access Whisper
Web Form: Users access a unique URL for the school’s form, which can be linked on the school website.
SMS: Reports can be sent using a dedicated number with a school-specific prefix.
Both channels generate notification emails to nominated school inboxes, and schools cannot see which method a user chose.
What Can Be Reported?
Users can report any concern they feel needs attention, including:
Bullying or harassment
Online safety issues
Personal problems or wellbeing concerns
Risk of harm to themselves or others
The system may filter inappropriate content. Users are informed of this and data protection details through the User Notice.
Privacy, Anonymity, and Confidentiality
Reports can be submitted anonymously; personal details are shared only if provided.
Message content is encrypted and accessible only through the Whisper administration system.
Schools handle the follow-up according to their policies. In serious cases, information may be shared with authorities.
What Happens After a Report?
The school investigates concerns following duty-of-care procedures.
Responses are sent via Whisper’s messaging system.
Schools are encouraged to respond within 24 hours during school days.
Data Storage and Retention
Reports, contact data, and location data are stored securely by SWGfL.
Schools access reports while active and manage export and retention externally.
Automated retention options (6–36 months) erase personal data while retaining non-identifying analytics information.
Technical Details
Web Form
Name optional; default
[Anonymous].Report content required; email optional for notifications.
IP and location recorded internally, not shared with schools.
Each report has a unique link for follow-up.
SMS
Phone number recorded internally; name always
[Anonymous].Reports delivered to schools anonymously.
Users can continue conversation via web link.
Schools cannot see which channel the user used, and replies are delivered via the same method.
Data Protection
SWGfL and the school are data controllers.
SWGfL processes messages to provide the service but does not monitor content.
Organisations manage reports according to their policies, safeguarding responsibilities, and legal obligations.
Users are informed of all data practices through the User Notice.
Terms of Service
You can read our full Terms of Service here.
