Safeguarding Policy

1. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

EverRhythm is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for all our users. Safeguarding is a primary concern, especially given the sensitive nature of health data. This policy outlines our principles and procedures for protecting vulnerable users and responding to crises.

2. Safeguarding Principles

Our approach to safeguarding is built on the following principles:

• Empowerment: We provide users with tools and information to manage their health, but we also recognize our duty to act when a user may be at risk.
• Prevention: We design our features to minimize risks and provide resources to help users stay safe.
• Proportionality: Our interventions are carefully considered to be the least intrusive necessary to address a specific risk.
• Protection: We have clear procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns, including crisis detection and intervention.
• Partnership: We work with users, caregivers, and, when necessary, professional services to ensure user safety.
• Accountability: We are transparent about our safeguarding procedures and are accountable for our actions.

3. Crisis Detection and Intervention

While EverRhythm is not a crisis service, we have a responsibility to act if we detect a potential risk of serious harm. Our systems may identify patterns or content that suggest a user is in crisis (e.g., expressing suicidal ideation).

In such events, our protocol may involve:

• Displaying in-app resources with contact information for professional crisis support services.
• Notifying designated emergency contacts or caregivers, if the user has configured these features.
• In exceptional circumstances where there is an imminent risk of serious harm, we may be legally or ethically required to contact emergency services. This is a measure of last resort.

4. Protecting Vulnerable Users

We recognize that some users may be more vulnerable due to their age, medical condition, or circumstances. We design our app with accessibility and ease-of-use in mind. We do not knowingly collect data from children under the age of 18 without parental consent.

5. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about a user or content on our platform, please contact us immediately at safeguarding@everrhythm.health. Our dedicated team will review the report and take appropriate action.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services first.

6. Compliance and Standards

Our safeguarding policies are developed in line with best practices and relevant healthcare standards. We regularly review and update our procedures to ensure they remain effective and appropriate.

7. Policy Management and Review

We maintain a comprehensive safeguarding policy management system to ensure our procedures remain current, effective, and aligned with best practices in healthcare and digital safety.

Our safeguarding policy management includes:

• Regular Reviews: Safeguarding policies are reviewed quarterly and updated as needed
• Expert Consultation: We consult with healthcare professionals and safeguarding experts during policy development
• Version Control: All policy updates are versioned and tracked with detailed change logs
• Staff Training: All team members receive regular training on safeguarding procedures and policy updates
• Incident Analysis: We analyze safeguarding incidents to continuously improve our policies and procedures