Safeguarding is only effective when people feel able - and confident - to speak up.
Churches work hard to put policies and training in place, but there’s one simple question that often gets overlooked:
If someone needed to raise a concern today, would they know exactly how to do it - and feel safe doing so?
The Reality: Barriers Still Exist
Recently, one of our team came across a church website where their safeguarding page listed a personal outlook.com email address for their safeguarding officer as the main point of contact.
While well-intentioned, this raises a number of concerns:
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It relies on one individual being available
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It sits outside of the church’s systems and oversight
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Sensitive information is being sent through an unsecured, personal channel
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There’s no clear audit trail or accountability
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The email address did not belong to the church but was the personal email of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, mixing sensitive safeguarding with non church actvities
Most importantly - it can feel unclear or even unsafe for someone trying to report a concern.
And when it comes to safeguarding, any barrier - however small - can stop someone from coming forward.
What “Good” Looks Like
An effective safeguarding process should be:
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Simple - easy to find and use
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Secure - protecting sensitive information at every step
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Immediate - concerns reach the right people without delay
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Accountable - records are stored and tracked appropriately
That’s where digital tools can make a real difference.
How iKnow Church Supports Safeguarding
The safeguarding module within iKnow Church was designed in consultation with Thirtyone:eight and is built to remove friction and create a clear, safe pathway for reporting concerns.
Secure Online Reporting
Churches can provide a secure form where individuals can submit safeguarding concerns directly.
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Information is stored safely within iKnow
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Fully encrypted and protected
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Automatically logged and accessible to authorised users
No more lost emails or fragmented communication - everything is kept in one secure place.
QR Codes for Easy Access
You can generate a QR code linked to your safeguarding form and add it to posters, noticeboards, or printed materials.
This means:
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Someone can discreetly scan and report a concern in seconds
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No need to search for contact details
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Accessible to visitors as well as regular attendees
Shareable Links
Prefer to share digitally? A simple link can be:
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Added/embedded on your website
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Included in emails or newsletters
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Shared with volunteers and teams
Making it easier than ever to ensure everyone knows how to raise a concern.
Creating a Culture of Confidence
Safeguarding isn’t just about processes - it’s about trust.
When people see that:
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There’s a clear, professional system in place
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Their information will be handled securely
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Their concern will be taken seriously
…they are far more likely to speak up.
A Simple Step That Makes a Big Difference
Moving from informal, person-dependent reporting (like personal email addresses) to a secure, structured system isn’t just an upgrade - it’s a safeguard in itself.
It protects:
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The person raising the concern
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The safeguarding team
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And the church as a whole
Find out more about how the iKnow Church safeguarding module could work in your church by visiting our Church Safeguarding page.