The Small Print

Ethics & Safeguarding

At Healing Explorer, we believe support should be safe, respectful, transparent, and trustworthy. This Ethics & Safeguarding Statement explains the principles and practices that guide how our app works, how your information is treated, and how we prioritise everyone's well‑being.

Our Purpose

Healing Explorer exists to provide compassionate, everyday support for people who are waiting for specialist care.

It is not a replacement for therapy, but a tool designed to help people feel steadier, build supportive habits, and be more prepared for ongoing care when it becomes available.

Respect for You

We believe everyone deserves dignity, choice, and control.

Your choice matters: You decide if and when to use the app, and you can pause, skip, or stop at any time.

Clear, inclusive design: The app is designed to be simple and welcoming for people with different needs and backgrounds.

No pressure or judgement: There are no competitive game mechanisms, no "streak penalties", and no comparisons with other users.

This approach respects your autonomy and aligns with ethical principles used widely in digital support design.

Privacy, Data & Transparency

Your privacy is a core priority.

100% anonymous: We do not collect names, emails, or personally identifying information.

Limited data use: We only process what is needed for the app to function and to generate anonymised insights about patterns and outcomes.

Clear communication: Our Privacy Policy explains how data is handled in straightforward, easy‑to‑understand language.

We do not sell or share your data for advertising or unrelated commercial use. Your trust matters.

Safety & Safeguarding

Your safety is taken seriously.

Crisis support pathways: If content suggests distress or crisis, the app will guide you immediately toward appropriate external support contacts and services.

AI designed for support: AI reflections are deliberately constrained, supportive, not diagnostic, and always direct users back to professional support where appropriate.

Optional escalation: With your consent and an anonymous referral ID, partner organisations can be notified of urgent concerns, only if you choose.

The app does not operate as a 24/7 crisis line, clinical diagnosis tool, or standalone treatment.

What the App Is and Is Not

This app is:

A source of structured guidance and grounding support.

A space for self‑reflection and building resilience.

A complement (not substitute) to specialist care.

This app is not:

Clinical therapy.

A medical diagnosis tool.

A replacement for human‑led support.

Being clear about these boundaries ensures safe and appropriate use.

Evidence & Ongoing Review

Our content is based on approaches that have support in trauma‑informed practice and behavioural science.

We are committed to learning from usage, feedback, and evaluation, and to refining the app over time in response to real‑world experience.

Continuous review and refinement are recognised as responsible practice in digital health innovation.

Transparency, Accountability & Continuous Improvement

We are committed to openness and accountability in how the app works and how we make decisions about safety, features, and design.

Responsive: We value and act on feedback from users, partners, and sector experts.

Learning‑oriented: We update the app and its processes based on evidence, experience, and constructive input.

Clear communication: We strive to explain intentions, limits, and capabilities in language that's understandable and honest.

This transparent, iterative approach aligns with how trustworthy digital support tools are expected to be developed.

Contact & Feedback

We welcome questions, suggestions, and concerns related to safety, privacy, or anything else about the app.

Email: mail@myhealingexplorer.com

Website: https://myhealingexplorer.com/

Your input helps us continue to improve and remain aligned with the needs and values of the people who use this tool and the organisations that support them.

Best‑Practice Guidance We Follow

Healing Explorer is built with attention to ethical design, safety, privacy, and transparency, guided not just by UK frameworks but also by international principles for digital health and responsible technology use.

We reference and align with widely recognised frameworks that promote ethical, safe, and transparent digital technologies, including:

World Health Organization (WHO) Ethical Principles for Digital Solutions: Global guidance emphasising clear purpose, risk–benefit assessment, transparent communication, protective privacy design, and ongoing monitoring of digital tools.

WHO Global Strategy for Digital Health: A vision for equitable, effective, and sustainable use of digital technologies to support health and wellbeing worldwide.

WHO Ethics & Governance Guidance for AI in Health: Principles ensuring new technologies like AI are designed and used ethically, with human rights and public benefit at the centre.

International Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration in Health: A global framework emphasising ethical, transparent use of health data and technology across sectors.

UK Government Code of Conduct for Data‑Driven Health Tech: A guide to ethical development and use of digital health tools, including transparency, respect for persons, and accountability.

NICE Evidence Standards & NHS Digital Tech Assessment (DTAC): UK frameworks for evidence, safety, and quality in digital health innovation that help guide responsible development.

These references reflect shared global values in digital health; clarity of purpose, safeguarding user rights and dignity, fair and responsible data use, ongoing evaluation, and transparency.

They help ensure the tool is developed and governed with internationally respected ethical standards in mind.

Summary

This statement is here so everyone, whether you’re a user, partner, funder, academic, or organisation, can see how we prioritise privacy, safety, respect, and responsibility.

We are committed to developing and operating this app in a way that is clear, ethical, and responsive to the needs of the people it’s designed to support.