Modern Slavery Statement

Safeside Supported Living Services is a care provider registered with the Care Quality Commission to deliver personal care through homecare and supported living. We are based in Barking and support people across East London and Essex.

Our workforce is made up of care assistants, support workers, senior carers, care coordinators and office staff, all employed directly by us. We do not use overseas recruitment agents and we do not charge anyone a fee to apply for or take up a job with us.

Our supply chain is short and largely UK based. It consists mainly of uniform and personal protective equipment, office supplies and IT services, training providers, DBS and pre-employment checking services, and professional advisers.

We assess the risk of modern slavery in our supply chain as low, but not zero. Uniform and PPE manufacturing are the areas we treat as carrying the most risk, and we favour suppliers who can show where their goods are made and under what conditions.

Care work attracts people who may be vulnerable to exploitation, so our recruitment process is designed to identify and prevent it:

• We verify every applicant's identity and their right to work in the UK ourselves, in person, and never accept documents through a third party.
• We look for warning signs during recruitment, such as several applicants sharing one address or bank account, an applicant who cannot speak for themselves, or documents held by someone else.
• We pay all staff directly into a bank account in their own name, at or above the legal minimum, and never through an intermediary.
• We never charge recruitment fees or withhold wages, documents or belongings.
• Staff are free to leave their employment with the notice set out in their contract.

Our carers are in people's homes every day, which puts them in a position to notice exploitation that others would not see. Modern slavery awareness forms part of our safeguarding training, and staff know how to raise a concern about anyone they meet, not only the person they are there to support.

The following policies support this statement:

• Safeguarding adults policy
• Recruitment, selection and pre-employment checks policy
• Whistleblowing policy, so staff can raise concerns without fear
• Equality, diversity and dignity at work policy
• Supplier code of conduct, which asks suppliers to confirm they comply with the Modern Slavery Act

All staff complete safeguarding training at induction, which includes recognising the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking and what to do if they suspect it. Managers responsible for recruitment receive additional guidance on the warning signs during hiring. Training is refreshed regularly.

Anyone who suspects modern slavery in connection with our business can raise it with our management team by phone or email. Staff can also use our whistleblowing procedure. Concerns are taken seriously and investigated.

Anyone can also contact the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700, or report to the police.

• The proportion of staff with current safeguarding training that includes modern slavery awareness
• The number of concerns raised and how each was resolved
• Whether every new starter's right to work was verified in person before their first shift
• Whether key suppliers have confirmed compliance with the Modern Slavery Act

This statement is reviewed annually. It was approved by the Registered Manager and Nominated Individual of Safeside Supported Living Services.

Approved: [Name], Registered Manager and Nominated Individual, [date].