Modern slavery & human trafficking statement 2024
Introduction from the Chief Executive Officer
We, CCH Group, and all of our subsidiary companies, are committed to ensuring that our business and supply chain remain free from modern slavery.
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chain.
We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners and, as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.
Our people-first approach means we prioritise employee well-being and support a culture where every voice is valued, as we work together to maintain ethical practices across our organisation.
Organisation’s Structure
We are a provider of community-based health and social care support services mostly under contract to the public sector. Personal care for older and disabled people living in their own homes makes up the largest part of the services provided, but companies in the group also provide more complex, specialised support including nursing and health care.
We operate in all regions of the United Kingdom but not overseas. We are headquartered in Nottingham.
Our Business
Our business is organised into many individual business units which provide health and social care services as part of the group. However, they operate
for many purposes as a single organisation with one senior management structure, policy framework, governance arrangements and supply chain.
The group’s staff are all directly employed and enjoy full employment rights under UK law. Most front-line employees delivering care are employed on a flexible basis but work is typically available at all times.
We have robust recruitment processes which ensure that thorough checks are conducted on all of our people in order to ensure that all we come into contact with are safeguarded.
We have an embedded code of conduct for staff and values for all of our teams to embody. Our values are Courage, Community and Heart.
Supply chain
As a provider of personal services in the community, the group’s procurement needs are relatively simple, covering mostly:
- Rental, furnishing, equipping and maintenance of local offices (including utilities);
- Implementation and maintenance of IT and communication systems;
- Equipment, uniforms and supplies for care professionals;
- Marketing and communications;
- Recruitment and HR;
- Accommodation, travel and other routine business needs;
- Legal, accountancy and consultancy.
The group does not currently use any non-UK suppliers directly.
Our Policies on slavery and human trafficking
We have appropriate policies in place that underpin our commitment to ensure that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. We continuously review and update all our policies.
Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Probity policies reflect our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.
We have a longstanding and effective whistleblowing regime in place and are confident that our culture supports open and transparent communication from our teams.
Any concerns around modern slavery would immediately be investigated and appropriate action taken including disciplinary action if any concerns were to be substantiated.
Our robust policies also underpin our stance on implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.
Due Diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking
We understand that the supply chains for our UK based suppliers give rise to the highest modern slavery risks. We have implemented a programme of supplier rationalisation to better control our risk in this area. We now work with a smaller number of selected suppliers.
We have implemented a supplier code of conduct which ensures that all our suppliers are signed up to the same high standards and we hold them to account for ensuring they work to maintain those standards.
We have an intensive due diligence process which ensures that we are aware of the extent of any risks in the supply chains of our suppliers. Our due diligence checks on suppliers include checks related to slavery and human trafficking.
Training
Discussion of modern slavery is included in induction and in annual mandatory training courses for appropriate teams. Our PREVENT (counter-terrorism) training also includes aspects of modern slavery.
Performance indicators
Our indicator that we have achieved our goal of being free from any modern slavery or human trafficking is that there have been no reports of this activity in our business or in our supply chain.
Further Steps
Having implemented increased supplier due diligence, we intend to analyse data gathered in order to target the highest risk areas for any actions deemed prudent to fulfil our responsibilities.
We will also continue fostering a workplace where open dialogue is encouraged, ensuring our people feel secure and supported when reporting any concerns, aligned with our goal of creating the best place to work in care.
| This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31st March 2024.
|
| GARY FEE |
| CITY & COUNTY HEALTHCARE GROUP |
| Date: 29th October 2024 |
Enquiries
Any enquiries about this statement should be directed to enquiries@candchealthcare.co.uk
