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Modern Slavery: Position Statement
Whilst We Are Survivors is not required to have or publish a modern slavery statement, the subject is relevant to our work. Therefore, we have chosen to publish the steps we have taken, and continue to take, to understand and minimise the potential risk of modern slavery, particularly in our business and supply chains.
Our Organisation
We Are Survivors wholeheartedly endorses and is committed to the principles within the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery, which is fundamentally opposed to our values. We recognise that modern slavery is a real, yet hidden, issue in our society. We will not tolerate modern slavery in our organisation or supply chain. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we’re committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for our staff and want to wholeheartedly ensure all our staff feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without any risk to themselves. Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion. We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
Policies and Supply Chains
We are committed to ensuring that our suppliers share in our high standards and that there is no slavery in our supply chain. Our Finance Policy, which specifically includes information on our procurement policy and processes, must be strictly adhered to, ensuring that all relevant checks and balances in line with this statement have been carried out. We also ensuring staff involved in procurement activity are aware of and follow modern slavery procurement guidance on GOV.UK: Click here
Our suppliers and partners need to adhere to the relevant sections of our Safeguarding, Health and Safety, VIP, Anti-Corruption and Bribery and Equal Opportunities policies. Should any of our suppliers or partners fail to meet these standards, we will take action to review or terminate our relationship with them. We also have a Freedom to Speak Up/ Whistleblowing policy should any employees wish to report any concerns.
Employee Awareness
We Are Survivors will ensure that periodic training is provided to our teams on the subject of modern slavery to increase awareness and education. This will ensure that our teams are aware of signs of modern slavery when speaking to or meeting survivors referred into our services, within a prison setting or when suppliers’ employees attend our premises. Our policies relevant to modern slavery are reviewed and updated when necessary to ensure they are accurate for the current climate.
Looking Ahead
We Are Survivors will continue to review our policies, training and procedures and update our staff accordingly. We will increase partnership working and learning by participating in initiatives combatting modern slavery on a local level and will share and promote good practice guidance internally and externally, organised by the We Are Survivors Thematic Lead for Modern Slavery.
This statement has been approved by the Board of Trustees, presented by the Chief Executive Officer, at the meeting of 03.07.2024
