Modern Slavery Policy
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy
Introduction
At Aarav Supported Living Ltd, we are fully committed to conducting our business in a lawful and ethical manner. We stand firmly against modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms and work diligently to ensure that our operations and supply chains remain free from such practices.
Modern slavery encompasses various forms of coercion and exploitation, including but not limited to:
- Forced or bonded labour
- Human trafficking
- Domestic servitude
- Child labour
- Sexual exploitation
At Aarav Supported Living Ltd, we recognize that the risk of modern slavery may vary within different parts of our operations and supply chains. We take measures to assess and mitigate these risks, particularly where there is higher vulnerability.
This statement is crafted in accordance with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and outlines the actions we have taken, and continue to take, to uphold this commitment.
Our Business
Aarav Supported Living Ltd operates within the health and social care sector, providing supported living services to adults across England. Our Head Office is located in Unit 3, Ilex House, Twickenham.
Our Policies on Slavery and Human Trafficking
We maintain a strict policy against modern slavery and human trafficking, ensuring transparency within our business and across our supply chains. Our contracting processes include specific prohibitions against forced, compulsory, or trafficked labour, and any forms of slavery or servitude, whether involving adults or children. We hold our contractors, suppliers, and other business partners to these same high standards.
Our Supply Chains
Our supply chains include property maintenance, IT support, marketing agencies, and external trainers. Recognizing potential risks in these areas, we carefully assess each supplier’s practices and implement mitigation steps, such as compliance checks and requiring all suppliers to confirm adherence to anti-slavery standards.
Employment checks and living wage policies help further safeguard against forced labour within our organization and our partners.”
We are vigilant about assessing the risks these supply chains may pose concerning modern slavery, and we take proactive steps to address and mitigate these risks.
Aarav Supported Living Ltd conducts thorough employment checks, ensuring that all personnel have the legal right to work for us and that they are paid at least the Living Wage. When we work with recruitment agencies for temporary roles, we confirm their practices align with our standards.
Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking
We have established robust systems to identify and reduce the risks of slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. These systems help us:
- Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains
- Mitigate the risks of slavery and human trafficking occurring within our supply chains
- Monitor potential risk areas within our supply chains
- Protect whistleblowers who report concerns
Risk and Compliance
Aarav Supported Living Ltd has zero tolerance for slavery and human trafficking. To ensure alignment with our values, we have a supply chain compliance program that includes supplier self-assessment questionnaires, supplier audits, and contractual obligations for suppliers to confirm their adherence to this policy. We also provide training to our procurement and buying teams to uphold these standards.
Training
We prioritize a high level of understanding among our staff regarding the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within our supply chains and business operations. In addition, we encourage our business partners to educate their staff, suppliers, and providers on these risks and how to address them.
Mandatory DBS Checks
Aarav Supported Living Ltd emphasizes the importance of maintaining a trustworthy and ethical workforce as part of our comprehensive modern slavery policy. We incorporate mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all employees, suppliers, and entities we collaborate with.
This measure serves as a vital safeguard to prevent exploitation and ensure that individuals involved in our operations and supply chains are aligned with our commitment to ethical standards. By vetting criminal backgrounds, Aarav Supported Living Ltd proactively mitigates the risk of engaging with entities linked to modern slavery practices.
Freedom of Workers to Terminate Employment
Aarav Supported Living Ltd upholds the principles of freedom and human rights within its operations. We ensure that all workers have the unequivocal freedom to terminate their employment at any time, free from harassment, intimidation, or retaliation. This commitment is in line with our dedication to ethical labor practices and the prevention of modern slavery.
Our Stance Against Discrimination
Aarav Supported Living Ltd firmly upholds a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of discrimination. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive environment where individuals, regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. This commitment spans all recruitment, employment, training, and promotional activities within our operations.
Our Stance Against Child Labour
We prohibit the use of child labour in any form within our supply chain or business activities. To fulfil this commitment, Aarav Supported Living Ltd implements rigorous due diligence processes to assess and monitor compliance with laws and international standards related to child labour. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to the eradication of exploitative practices and foster a responsible, sustainable business environment.
Prohibiting Worker-Paid Recruitment Fees
To uphold ethical labour practices, Aarav Supported Living Ltd unequivocally prohibits the use of worker-paid recruitment fees. Such fees contribute to exploitative practices and compromise the rights and dignity of workers. By preventing these fees, we demonstrate our commitment to fair treatment and the prevention of modern slavery.
Prohibiting the Confiscation of Workers' Original Identification Documents
We explicitly prohibit the confiscation of workers’ original identification documents as part of our commitment to ethical practices and the prevention of modern slavery. Safeguarding personal identification is essential to protect individual freedom and mobility, and we ensure that all workers retain control over their personal documents, free from any form of coercion or exploitation.
Our Supply Chains
Our supply chains include a variety of services, such as property maintenance, IT support, marketing, and external trainers. We assess the risks associated with these supply chains and implement mitigation steps to uphold our commitment to preventing modern slavery. We conduct thorough employment checks, ensure compliance with the Living Wage, and only work with recruitment agencies that align with our ethical standards.
Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking
Aarav Supported Living Ltd employs a multi-layered due diligence process to identify and reduce the risks of slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. This includes enhanced assessments of high-risk suppliers, compliance certifications, regular monitoring, and protection for whistleblowers who report concerns.
Effectiveness in Combating Slavery and Human Trafficking
To measure the effectiveness of our efforts to combat slavery and human trafficking, we monitor several key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
- Completion of audits by suppliers
- Use of remediation plans for suppliers found to be non-compliant
Communication and understanding of our expectations across the supply chain
Reporting Concerns
If any individual suspects that modern slavery or human trafficking is present within Aarav Supported Living Ltd or our supply chains, we encourage them to report their concerns immediately. Reports can be made confidentially to our Whistleblowing Officer or the designated email below. We take all reports seriously and will respond with appropriate action.
Email: antislavery@aaravsupportedliving.com
Contact Information
Address:
Whistleblowing Officer
Aarav Supported Living Ltd
Unit 3
Ilex House
94 Holly Road
Twickenham
Further Steps
We continuously review the effectiveness of our efforts to prevent slavery and human trafficking within our supply chains. As part of our ongoing commitment, we intend to implement the following additional measures:
- Upon approval of our procurement policy, review all related policies and documents to reinforce our approach to eliminating modern slavery risks
- Update staff on new policies and procedures
- Implement our procurement approach across all current suppliers
- Use our procurement approach to assess all new suppliers
- Ensure that modern slavery concerns are addressed in all relevant policies, including recruitment, safeguarding, and whistleblowing