> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://signalschools.co.uk/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Frequently Asked Questions

> Answers to common questions about using Signal, covering accounts, incidents, students, AI features, transfers, and permissions.

Find quick answers to the most common questions about Signal below. If you cannot find what you are looking for, check the [Troubleshooting](/docs/help/troubleshooting) page or contact support at **[support@signalschools.com](mailto:support@signalschools.com)**.

## Account & Login

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I set up a passkey?">
    When you first log in, Signal prompts you to register a passkey on your device. You can also add or manage passkeys from your account settings at any time. See [Login & Authentication](/docs/getting-started/login-authentication) for full details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I can't log in?">
    If your passkey is not working, try the email OTP option on the login screen — Signal sends a one-time code to your email address. If you still cannot access your account, contact your school's DSL or Owner to check your account status. See [Troubleshooting](/docs/help/troubleshooting) for more help.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use Signal on my phone?">
    Yes. Signal works in your mobile browser — no app download is needed. The interface adapts to your screen size, so you can record concerns, check alerts, and review incidents on any device.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Incidents

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Who can see my incidents?">
    Student incidents are visible to all staff with the Contributor role or above, unless [visibility exclusions](/docs/incidents/overview) have been applied. Staff incidents are accessible to staff with the Owner, DSL, or Deputy DSL role, with automatic self-exclusion for named staff. See [Staff Incidents](/docs/staff-incidents/overview) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I edit an incident after saving?">
    Yes. You can update an incident's details, categories, and attachments after it has been saved. All changes are tracked in the audit log for accountability. See [Managing Incidents](/docs/incidents/managing-incidents).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens when I delete an incident?">
    Deleting an incident permanently removes it from Signal. This action cannot be undone, so take care when deleting. Only staff with the appropriate role can delete incidents.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Students

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I archive a student?">
    When a student leaves your school, you can archive their record from the student's profile. Archiving preserves their full safeguarding history while removing them from active lists. See [Student Profiles](/docs/students/overview) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I import students from a spreadsheet?">
    Signal syncs student data from your MIS (such as Arbor) automatically. If you do not use a supported MIS, you can add students manually. See [MIS Integration](/docs/getting-started/mis-integration) and [Adding Students](/docs/students/adding-editing).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## AI Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How does AI analysis work?">
    When you create an incident or upload a document, Signal's AI reads the content and suggests categories, agencies, and relevant policies. It also generates summaries and highlights patterns. See [AI in Signal](/docs/ai-features/overview) for a full overview.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is my data safe with AI?">
    Yes. All AI processing happens securely within Signal's infrastructure. Your data is never used to train AI models and is never shared with other schools. See [AI in Signal](/docs/ai-features/overview) for details on data privacy.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I turn off AI suggestions?">
    AI suggestions are always optional — you can dismiss any suggestion and complete records manually. The suggestions appear alongside your work but never make decisions automatically.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Transfers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I transfer records to another school?">
    Go to the Transfers page, select the student, choose the destination school, and pick which records to include. See [Creating a Transfer](/docs/transfers/creating-transfers) for a step-by-step guide.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can non-Signal schools receive transfers?">
    Yes. Schools that do not use Signal can receive records through a secure external portal. You send a link and they access the records through a protected web page. See [Student Transfers](/docs/transfers/overview) for details.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Demo & Subscriptions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What does the demo include?">
    The demo gives you sample students, staff, academic years, attendance records, and incidents to explore. You have full access to all features except MIS integration, which is enabled when you subscribe. See [Demo & Subscriptions](/docs/getting-started/demo-subscriptions) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I add my own staff to the demo?">
    Yes. You can invite colleagues with different roles (DSL, Admin, Contributor) so they can explore Signal from their own perspective. This is a great way to get your safeguarding team familiar with the platform before going live.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens to demo data when I subscribe?">
    Demo data (students, staff, incidents, attendance) is removed. Your configuration — categories, locations, agencies, working schedules, staff accounts, alert rules, and policies — is kept. See [Demo & Subscriptions](/docs/getting-started/demo-subscriptions) for the full list.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I subscribe?">
    Go to Settings, click **Request Subscription**, and enter your student count. The Signal team will send you a quote. After payment, your demo data is cleaned up and integrations are enabled.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the Pay for One Promise?">
    If you are switching from another safeguarding provider with time remaining on your contract, Signal can extend your first year subscription to cover the overlap — so you never pay for two systems at once. Contact [support@signalschools.com](mailto:support@signalschools.com) to arrange this. See [Pay for One Promise](/docs/pay-for-one-promise) for details.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Permissions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What's the difference between DSL and Deputy DSL?">
    Both roles have the same access level — full safeguarding access including student and staff incidents, settings, and staff management. The distinction is for organisational clarity within your school. See [Staff & Permissions](/docs/staff/overview).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change someone's role?">
    Yes. Owners and DSLs can change a staff member's role at any time from the staff management page. See [Managing Staff](/docs/staff/managing-staff) for instructions.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>