About Guarding the Flock
Guarding the Flock is a London-based safeguarding consultancy supporting clergy, parishes, and faith-based communities with guidance that is clear, practical, and rooted in integrity. We understand how heavy safeguarding can feel, especially when pastoral care, accountability, and compliance collide.
Our role is simple: to lighten that load and help you build safeguarding that is proactive, embedded, and sustainable.
My Story
I’m Michelle Burns, founder of Guarding the Flock. I didn’t grow up in church culture — I stepped into a job and discovered a vocation. As a Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, I witnessed both the beauty and the complexity of church communities.
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What drives me is simple: honesty, fairness, and protecting people through a trauma-informed approach.
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My style is grounded, compassionate, and no-nonsense. I’ve supported victim-survivors, advised clergy, managed risk, and helped rebuild trust when it mattered most.
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Guarding the Flock exists so leaders never have to carry safeguarding alone.
Contact
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Connect with us for trusted support.