Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Our Commitment

Involvement Support is committed to preventing modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and all forms of exploitation within our organisation, workforce and supply chains.

We recognise that modern slavery is a serious violation of fundamental human rights and that organisations delivering health and social care services have a particular responsibility to protect vulnerable individuals.

We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and are committed to conducting our operations ethically, transparently and in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Our commitment extends to the children, young people and adults we support, our employees, agency workers, contractors, suppliers and professional partners.

Our Organisation

Involvement Support is a health and social care provider operating in Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.

Our services include:

• Support at home and personal care.
• Supported living services for adults.
• Community outreach and personalised support for children and young people.
• Supported accommodation services for adults aged 18 and over.

We recognise that individuals receiving care and support may be particularly vulnerable to exploitation because of their age, disability, communication needs, dependency on others or personal circumstances.

Safeguarding, dignity, independence and respect for human rights are fundamental to our approach.

Our Policies and Procedures

We are committed to maintaining policies and procedures that support the prevention, identification and reporting of modern slavery.

Our relevant governance arrangements include:

• Safeguarding Adults Policy.
• Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
• Safer Recruitment and Selection Policy.
• Whistleblowing Policy.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
• Complaints and Concerns Procedure.
• Staff Code of Conduct.
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy.

These arrangements establish expectations for ethical conduct, safeguarding responsibilities, reporting concerns and responding appropriately to suspected exploitation.

Policies are reviewed periodically to reflect legislative developments, regulatory requirements and identified organisational risks.

Recruitment and Employment Practices

Involvement Support is committed to fair, lawful and transparent recruitment and employment practices.

Our recruitment procedures are designed to reduce the risk of exploitation and include:

• Verifying applicants’ identities and eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• Undertaking appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service checks for eligible roles.
• Obtaining employment references and reviewing employment histories.
• Providing written employment terms and conditions.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage requirements.
• Prohibiting recruitment practices involving coercion, deception or unlawful fees.
• Respecting employees’ rights to retain control of their personal identification documents.
• Providing employees with appropriate channels to raise concerns about their working conditions.

We do not tolerate forced labour, debt bondage, withholding of wages, threats, intimidation or restrictions on employees’ freedom of movement.

Supply Chain Management

Our supply chains may include recruitment providers, training organisations, care equipment suppliers, technology providers, professional services and other organisations supporting service delivery.

We expect suppliers and contractors to comply with applicable employment legislation and demonstrate respect for human rights.

Where appropriate and proportionate to the risks involved, we will:

• Consider ethical employment practices when selecting suppliers.
• Seek assurances regarding compliance with modern slavery legislation.
• Review concerns about potentially exploitative working arrangements.
• Take appropriate action where credible evidence of exploitation is identified.
• Consider terminating commercial relationships where serious concerns remain unresolved.

Identifying and Managing Risks

We recognise that modern slavery risks may arise within recruitment, subcontracting, supply chains and the wider communities in which we operate.

Particular areas of concern may include:

• Exploitation of migrant workers.
• Recruitment-related debt and coercion.
• Unlawful deductions from wages.
• Excessive working hours or restrictions on personal freedom.
• Financial, criminal or sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
• Exploitation of children and young people.
• Abuse of individuals who depend on others for accommodation, personal care or daily living support.

We aim to identify these risks through safeguarding assessments, recruitment checks, staff supervision, management oversight and appropriate reporting arrangements.

Safeguarding and Reporting Concerns

All employees and representatives of Involvement Support are expected to report suspected modern slavery or human trafficking promptly.

Concerns should be raised with the Registered Manager, designated safeguarding lead or another appropriate senior manager.

Where concerns involve an immediate risk of harm, emergency services must be contacted.

Where appropriate, concerns will be referred to the relevant local authority safeguarding team, police or other statutory agencies.

Employees may also raise concerns through our whistleblowing arrangements.

We are committed to ensuring that individuals who raise genuine concerns in good faith are treated fairly and protected from victimisation.

Training and Awareness

We recognise that staff awareness is essential to identifying and preventing exploitation.

Relevant safeguarding training and organisational guidance will address the identification of abuse, exploitation and indicators of modern slavery.

Employees are expected to understand:

• Potential signs of coercion, exploitation and trafficking.
• Their safeguarding responsibilities.
• How to report concerns.
• The importance of accurate recording and information sharing.
• The need to respond sensitively to individuals who may have experienced exploitation.

Additional guidance will be provided where risks or operational requirements indicate that further awareness is necessary.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Involvement Support is committed to strengthening its approach to preventing modern slavery.

We will review our arrangements through management oversight, safeguarding reviews, recruitment monitoring and policy updates.

Our priorities include:

• Maintaining effective safer recruitment procedures.
• Strengthening awareness of exploitation risks.
• Encouraging transparent reporting.
• Reviewing supplier-related risks.
• Supporting employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
• Working collaboratively with safeguarding partners and statutory agencies.

Our Commitment to Continuous Compliance

Involvement Support recognises that preventing modern slavery requires ongoing vigilance and collective responsibility.

We are committed to promoting a workplace and care environment where individuals are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

We will continue to review our practices and take proportionate steps to prevent exploitation within our operations and supply chains.

Statement Approval and Review

This statement has been prepared with reference to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and reflects Involvement Support’s commitment to ethical business practices and safeguarding.

It will be reviewed annually and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, organisational operations and identified risks.