Safeguarding

Your safety is built into every part of Akari — not bolted on as an afterthought.

If you’re in immediate danger

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services directly.

999 — Emergency services 116 123 — Samaritans (24/7, free) Crisis Text Line — text SHOUT to 85258 Childline — 0800 1111 (under 19s)

Akari is not a crisis service and does not replace emergency support. It is an AI-supported self-care and navigation platform with built-in safety systems and clear pathways to human help.

Our approach to safeguarding

Akari is designed for young people aged 16–24 — a population that experiences high rates of mental health difficulty but often struggles to access appropriate support. We take safeguarding seriously at every level of design and delivery.

How safety works in Akari

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Automatic crisis detection

Akari monitors conversations for indicators of risk. If a safety concern is detected, a structured safety response activates immediately — providing crisis numbers, grounding support, and clear guidance.

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Clear boundaries

Akari is explicit about what it can and cannot do. It does not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, or replace professional care. It communicates these boundaries clearly to users.

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Human handoff pathways

When self-care support is not enough, Akari connects users to appropriate human support — including NHS talking therapies, local counselling services, and specialist provision.

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Privacy and control

Users can stay anonymous, control what they share, and delete their data at any time. Akari does not share identifiable data with partner organisations.

Clinical governance

Akari’s clinical approach and safeguarding systems are designed with reference to:

  • NHS DCB0129 — Clinical Risk Management for digital health technologies
  • NHS Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC)
  • NICE Evidence Standards Framework for digital health technologies
  • MHRA guidance on Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) classification

Akari operates within clearly defined intended-use boundaries. It is positioned as a self-care and navigation support tool — not a clinical therapy product. A named Clinical Safety Officer oversees clinical risk management.

Our therapeutic approach

Akari’s self-care techniques draw from evidence-based therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. These are delivered in plain, non-clinical language and designed with clinical psychology oversight.

Akari does not name therapeutic modalities to users — it focuses on what helps, explained simply.

Co-design and young people’s voices

Akari was co-designed with young people from the outset. We engaged over 4,000 young people through surveys, focus groups, and peer research to ensure that the platform’s design, tone, and content genuinely works for the people it’s built for. Young advisors continue to shape our development.

Reporting a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about Akari or a young person using the service, please contact us immediately: