The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places specific responsibilities on organisations to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not exist within its supply chain or in any part of its own business. Though some people may be more vulnerable to exploitation than others, it is not restricted by age, gender or background. The term ‘modern slavery’ captures a whole range of exploitation, which may occur together to have a combined effect on people’s rights and liberty.
This statement is made in relation to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and explains the commitments of Herefordshire Council in its efforts to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking within the organisation, its sub-contractors, partners or supply chains.
This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 and will be reviewed annually.
In 2019 the council made the follow commitments which are reflective of the 2021-22 statement:
Proactive – improve awareness, understanding and identification of modern slavery with council staff and members being proactive in reporting suspected incidents.
Protect – safeguard children and adults to not be at risk of modern slavery, and support victims with care and services.
Partnership – to work in partnership with other agencies, residents and businesses to address the causes and effects of modern slavery on people.
Providers – create effective systems and controls to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place through the contracts we hold.
Prosecute – to work with agencies to gather evidence to hold perpetrators to account.
Policies – to have in place the policies and practices that enable the reporting of modern slavery and reduces the exploitation of people in the first place.