Modern slavery and human trafficking statement
This statement is provided on behalf of Age UK Staffordshire and is made in pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ('the Act'). It constitutes Age UK Staffordshire's statement for the financial year ended 31 March 2019.
Age UK Staffordshire considers modern slavery and human trafficking extremely serious crimes, grave violations of human rights and contrary to the ethical standards and values we hold dear. As a charity that, as part of its wider objectives, fights for the protection and advancement of human rights in the UK, we have a zero tolerance approach to such abuses.
We are committed to preventing modern slavery in our organisation and to ensuring that our supply chain is as equally free of both modern slavery and human trafficking (within the reasonable bounds of our influence and control to ensure compliance with the Act by our supply chain and / or assure ourselves of their compliance).
Our organisation
Age UK Staffordshire is a charity registered in England which exists to promote the wellbeing of older people.
Age UK Staffordshire employs around 192 staff, and benefits from the support of around 67 volunteers within our organisation and charity shop, all based in the UK.
Our staff are employed directly by Age UK Staffordshire and are not of an employment status generally considered to be vulnerable to modern slavery in this country.
We are not complacent, and have robust policies and procedures in place. Our focus, however, is on ensuring that our supply chain complies with the Act, relevant Age UK Staffordshire policies and procedures, and our ethical standards.
Our supply chain
Age UK Staffordshire is committed to improving our practices to identify and eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains, and to act ethically and with integrity in all of our business relationships. Our supply chains comprise over 170 suppliers and contractors. Age UK Staffordshire uses the products and services we purchase from these suppliers to support our charitable activity and operations.
Age UK Staffordshire works with the Age UK network to deliver charitable services in the UK.
Policies
Age UK Staffordshire endeavours to raise awareness among all employees of the identification, prevention and eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking, and has policies and procedures in place to ensure that they can do so. The Age UK Staffordshire Finance team has oversight of our supply chain. The relevant policies are:
Age UK’s Procurement Policy and Procedure requires that suppliers are formally approved by Age UK's Finance team such that they can only provide goods and services after confirming compliance with all applicable regulations and legislation, including the Act.
Age UK Staffordshire's Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure asks staff to confidentially report concerns including modern slavery or human trafficking.
Age UK Staffordshire's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures acknowledges modern slavery as a form of abuse and, where there is a concern about a child (under 18 years) or an adult (18 or over) who needs care and support, these Policies take effect.
Supply Chain Due Diligence
Age UK Staffordshire aims to work with only those suppliers that demonstrate commitment to monitoring and reducing the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking taking place within their organisations or supply chains.
As a pre-condition to supplying Age UK Staffordshire, suppliers must confirm their compliance with the Act. If a supplier fails to provide the information requested or meet Age UK Staffordshire's expectations, Age UK Staffordshire will take appropriate action, which may include not entering into a relationship or terminating the relationship.
Plans for 2019/20
In the 2019/20 financial year Age UK Staffordshire is taking steps to provide assurance of our supply chain's compliance with the Act:
Contractors or suppliers that trade on Age UK Staffordshire's terms and conditions will be asked to provide confirmation of their compliance with the Act by agreeing to and signing Age UK Staffordshire's terms and conditions for the supply of goods and services, which will include a modern slavery and human trafficking clause.
Contractors or suppliers who trade with Age UK Staffordshire on their own terms and conditions will be requested to provide written assurances of their compliance with the Act, as well as with all applicable laws and regulations.
This statement is made pursuant to Part 6, section 54 of the Act and constitutes Age UK's anti-slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2019 and has been approved by the Age UK Staffordshire Board of Trustees on behalf of Age UK Staffordshire.
Naomi Pay
Chief Executive
Age UK Staffordshire
2019