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Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement 21/22

Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement 21/22

Rochford District Council is committed to doing what we can to combat slavery and prevent human trafficking within our business and supply chain.

The council's aspiration is to have a positive impact on the fair and safe working conditions of those working directly or indirectly for us and we expect our suppliers, contractors and partners to share our vision.

This statement sets out Rochford District Council’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to our services and businesses and to put in place steps to eliminate those acts.

Action 1: Recruitment

The council continues to monitor and review its established safer recruitment processes, including procedures for vetting new employees to ensure they are eligible to work in the UK.

Action 2: Disclosure

The council continues to monitor and review its whistleblowing policy and is committed to enabling officers who have concerns to report them without repercussions.

Action 3: Training

The Council continues to undertake awareness training for staff in conjunction with wider safeguarding training.

Action 4: Safeguarding

The council continues to reference modern slavery and human trafficking in its Safeguarding Policy, aligned to the Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) Child Protection Procedures and SET Safeguarding Adult Guidelines.

The council continues to recognise its responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking and we acknowledge our duty to notify the Secretary of State of suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking in accordance with section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Duty to Notify)

Action 5: Procurement

All tender documents shall include a statement requesting contractors, suppliers and partners that there is 'no use' either directly or by any sub-contractors or within the supply chain of:

  • child labour
  • slavery, forced, bonded or involuntary labour
  • human trafficking or exploitation

All tenders will continue to require contractors to provide confirmation that they are compliant with the Act, including a declaration stating, "they are not involved in modern slavery or human trafficking and have not been subject to any investigation in connection with any offences involving slavery and human trafficking". The council will only trade with those who comply with the Act