Modern Slavery Act statement

Modern Slavery Act statement

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is committed to taking steps to comply with the United Kingdom Modern Slavery Act (2015) to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains or in any part of its own business.

To protect workers from modern slavery, the Trust undertakes pre-employment checks for all people being recruited, including that they have the required legal documents to verify their identity and right to work in the United Kingdom.

The Trust uses staff from agencies on approved frameworks, which are audited to provide assurance that pre-employment clearance has been obtained for agency staff.

The Trust also applies professional codes of conduct and practice relating to procurement and supply, including through its Procurement Team's membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

The Trust's commitment is to ensure no modern slavery or human trafficking is related to any of its business is set out in its purchase orders.

To identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in NHS supply chains, the NHS Terms and Conditions of Contract requires that all suppliers comply with the provisions of the Act and the ‘Supplier Code of Conduct' for the NHS Supply Chain or NHS Supply Chain frameworks. This includes a provision concerning forced labour. If the Trust becomes aware of a supplier involved in the process of modern slavery, then it will alert the authorities in that area to express a concern to the local safeguarding teams and police.