Modern Slavery Statement

Modern Slavery Statement

This statement is issued in accordance with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and outlines the measures HTR Care and Recruitment Limited has taken and continues to take to prevent the occurrence of modern slavery within our care and recruitment business operations and supply chain. Modern slavery encompasses practices such as slavery, servitude, human trafficking, and forced labour. At HTR Care and Recruitment Limited, we maintain a strict zero-tolerance stance towards any form of modern slavery and human trafficking. We are dedicated to conducting our business with ethics, integrity, and transparency, and we are committed to establishing effective systems and controls to prevent modern slavery within our organization and throughout our supply chains.

Our business strategy is guided by principles of ethical, social, and environmental responsibility. We fully acknowledge our obligation to uphold human rights, as articulated in the International Bill of Human Rights (IBHR). The IBHR serves as the foundation for all our policies concerning the rights and freedoms of every individual associated with our organization, including direct employees, agency workers, and those indirectly involved through our supply chain. Furthermore, we are steadfast in implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights across all our activities. The cornerstone of our workplace expectations nationwide is the profound respect for individual dignity and the paramount importance of safeguarding human rights.

As a healthcare provider and an agency staff supplier we categorically reject any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying, and we mandate all our managers to implement policies aimed at fostering equality of opportunity and inclusivity for every employee and temporary workers. We have also devised and put into operation policies and processes designed to extend these commitments throughout our supply chain. We also acknowledge our duty to identify any staff member, customers or any service users who may victim of modern slavery or human trafficking. Our step support on adhering robust safeguarding procedures to minimise the risk of modern slavery.

Even though most people think that slavery only exists overseas, modern day slavery in the UK is thriving. The British Government estimates that tens of thousands of people are in modern slavery in the UK today. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the business or our supply chain.

How does it happen?

The modern slavery can be applicable to anyone from any country including British citizen if they are vulnerable on knowing their rights, typically, a person coming from a situation of poverty and lack of opportunity. In many cases the person can be found from abroad country. Often the victim might have to take a loan from an agent to pay for the recruitment fees and for the journey to UK. When the person arrives in Britain, the job, and the conditions they were promised are completely different. Sometimes, their passport is taken away, and they are told they need to pay off the debt before they can leave. Violence or threats are common practice, both against the victim as well as their family back home.

Who would be affected?

Modern slavery can affect any industry including the health and social care. HTR Care and Recruitment identifies those who can be easily victimised and review the assessment from time to time complying with Modern Slavery act 2015. Those who are most vulnerable to falling victim to modern slavery include but not limited to are as follows:

• Migrant Workers: Migrant workers, especially those with irregular immigration status, are often vulnerable to exploitation, as they may lack legal protections and are often unaware of their rights.
• Low-Skilled Laborers: People engaged in low-skilled jobs, such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, and manufacturing, are at risk of being subjected to forced labour and other forms of exploitation.
• Children: Children are particularly vulnerable to forced labour, child labour, and child trafficking. They may be forced to work in hazardous conditions or exploited for various purposes, including begging and sexual exploitation.
• Women and Girls: Women and girls are often victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labour. They are also at risk of forced marriage and domestic servitude.
• Minority and Indigenous Groups: Minority and indigenous communities can be disproportionately affected by modern slavery due to discrimination, marginalization, and lack of access to resources and legal protections.
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Displaced populations, including refugees and asylum seekers, are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation due to their precarious situations and lack of legal protections in host countries.
• People in Debt Bondage: Individuals trapped in debt bondage may be forced to work to repay a debt, often under exploitative conditions.
• Victims of Human Trafficking: Human trafficking victims can come from various backgrounds and may be subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation.
• Domestic Workers: Domestic workers, especially those working in private homes, can be vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and poor working conditions.
• Sex Workers: Some individuals who engage in sex work may do so voluntarily, but others may be coerced or forced into the sex industry, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
• Persons with Disabilities: People with disabilities may be at greater risk of exploitation and abuse, as their vulnerabilities may be exploited by perpetrators.
• Temporary and Informal Workers: Those engaged in temporary or informal work arrangements may lack job security and protection, making them susceptible to exploitation.
• Economically Disadvantaged Individuals: Individuals facing economic hardship and poverty are often more vulnerable to recruitment into forced labour due to their desperate circumstances.

Responsibilities & Reporting

The member of staff who is concerned that a person is exploited under Modern Day Slavery, must immediately contact the Registered Manager Should the Manager not be contactable, staff must contact the Nominated Individual.

All known and assumed facts must be given to the Registered Manager and Nominated Individual.

We operate several internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. Some of them include:

• Safer Recruitment Policy: We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all directly employed staff, to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.
• Equal Opportunities: We have a range of controls to protect staff from poor treatment and/or exploitation, which complies with all respective laws and regulations. These include provision of fair pay rates, fair terms and conditions of employment, and access to training and development opportunities.
• Safeguarding policies: These provide clear guidance so that our employees are clear on how to raise safeguarding concerns about how colleagues or people receiving our services are being treated, or about practices within our business or supply chain.
• Whistleblowing policy: We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues or people receiving our services are being treated, or about practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.
• Codes of Conduct: This code explains the way we behave as an organisation and how we expect our employees and suppliers to act.

Once they assess the information received and the possibility of the person to be at risk of being subjected to Modern Day Slavery is confirmed, then they must contact:

Modern Slavery Helpline 0800 0121 700 or report it online at www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report

How to make a report, can be found on:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-report-modern-slavery
In an emergency call the Police on 99

Assessment of Effectiveness in Preventing Modern Slavery

At HTR Care and Recruitment Limited, we understand that the risk of modern slavery is not static and requires ongoing vigilance. We are committed to maintaining our leading approach to mitigate this risk effectively. To accomplish this, we carry out the assessment from time to time. This includes but not limited to:

• Recruitment Process: We conduct a rigorous recruitment process, adhering to legal and ethical procurement procedures while following our 'No Discrimination' and 'Equal Opportunity' policy. The recruitment policy is diligently followed by the relevant team members and must be signed off by the registered manager. The entire recruitment process is overseen and approved by the registered manager, and audits are routinely conducted.
• Training Provision Enhancement: We assess and improve the training provided to our procurement team, as well as our care and clinical teams. This enhancement will empower our teams to better recognize and address modern slavery risks.
• Transparency and Reporting: We will continue to publish this statement on our website to ensure transparency about our commitment to preventing modern slavery. Additionally, we will conduct annual reviews to monitor our progress and effectiveness in this endeavour.
• Supervision: Timely supervision is carried out by the respective line managers and supervisors including the upper management.

Our dedication to eradicating modern slavery remains resolute. We will adapt and refine our efforts as necessary to ensure that modern slavery has no place within HTR Care and Recruitment Limited, and we will continue to work diligently to maintain the highest ethical standards in our care operations and supply chain.

Training Statement

All staff, during induction, are made aware of the organisation’s policies and procedures, all of which are used for training updates. All policies and procedures are reviewed and amended where necessary, and staff are made aware of any changes. Observations are undertaken to check skills and competencies. Various methods of training are used, including one to one, online, workbook, group meetings, and individual supervisions. External courses are sourced as required.

As part of our Induction process staff are aware of the Modern Slavery Act and how to report any concerns. We also train our managers to ensure they understand their responsibilities and are carrying them out. Information and help can be accessed on the phone number and website above.