Modern slavery statement

Introduction

Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. In its wider sense, it often includes:

  • sexual exploitation
  • forced or bonded labour
  • human trafficking
  • criminal exploitation
  • financial exploitation
  • domestic servitude
  • child slavery
  • offences under the Protection of Children Act 1978 or the Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • forced or early marriage

Thames Valley Partnership has responsibilities as an employer and provider of services.

Publishing this statement on a voluntary basis shows our public commitment to play our part in reducing the horrendous crimes of modern slavery and human trafficking. This includes partnership working such as prevention, identification, awareness raising and information sharing.

This statement sets out the steps we have already taken and are planning to take to help detect modern slavery in our own:

  • services
  • Projects
  • use of external training facilitators/volunteers
  • suppliers
  • It covers all direct employees, volunteers and externally contracted workers (for example, consultants).

Relevant policies

The following policies and procedures are considered to be key in meeting the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act. They also help us ensure we are taking reasonable action to address the risk of this crime occurring in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Employee’s code of conduct

Our employee code of conduct makes clear to employees the actions and behaviours expected of them when representing us.

We try to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour. Line managers investigate any alleged breaches. We have a process in place for employees to make a declaration of outside interests where appropriate. This includes other paid employment.

Recruitment

Our recruitment processes are transparent and reviewed regularly.

This includes robust procedures in place for the vetting of new employees. This ensures they are able to confirm their identities and qualifications. We make payments directly into an appropriate, personal bank account.

Agency workers

Where the need arises to source resources from alternative partners, we will verify their practices before accepting workers from that agency.

Pay

Through our human resources policies, we ensure we pay all employees fairly and equitably.

Business planning

Our business plans include a section on safeguarding. This makes reference to human trafficking and includes the steps services will take to manage that risk.

Training and development

We have a programme of mandatory training that all employees and members must complete. This includes Safeguarding Awareness, online E training for Prevent.

Whistleblowing

This encourages all its employees, and others the charity deal with, who have serious concerns about any aspect of our work to come forward and voice their concerns. It lays out a process for doing so, which adheres to the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This means that, if necessary, employees may make disclosures without fear of reprisal or victimisation.

Safeguarding

We take our responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. We look to protect them from harm and develop, put in place and track our policies and procedures.

There is a clear pathway for:

  • all modern slavery referrals into Adult Social Care
  • all referrals into Children’s Social Care

We report information on referrals to the Partnerships CEO.

Complaint’s system

We operate a complaints procedure to deal with complaints about our services. This can be used to report any concerns which merit investigation or reporting to a partner agency.

Suppliers and those who supply services on our behalf.

We expect the same high standards from all of our consultants, associates, suppliers and other business partners.

This applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, Employees, Trustees, Volunteers, Contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners. This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.

Approval

The Chief Executive Officer of the Thames Valley Partnership has approved this statement which will be reviewed and updated annually.