Statement on modern slavery
With You is a leading voluntary sector organisation that supports adults, children, young people and families to make positive behaviour changes across England and Scotland. We recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to the global problem of slavery and human trafficking.
Modern slavery and trafficking are terms for the act of recruiting, harbouring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for forced labour or commercial sex acts through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
We are absolutely committed to the prevention of slavery and human trafficking associated with our activities, and to ensuring that those who use our services, our suppliers (and supply chains) are free from slavery and human trafficking.
Our Modern Slavery Statement 2022/23
This statement has been prepared for the purpose of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and it sets out With You's position and steps taken to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its activities, and to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains. We recognise that slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking are serious crimes committed across the UK, in which victims are exploited for someone else’s gain. We have a zero tolerance approach to these crimes and where people who use our services are suspected of being the victims of modern slavery or trafficking, they will be supported and encouraged to contact the relevant agencies and take the necessary actions to break free. .
With You is a company limited by guarantee (company no. 02580377) and a registered charity in England (1001957) and in Scotland (SC040009). We support adults, children, young adults and families to make positive behaviour changes whether they are affected by drug and alcohol or mental health issues. During 2022/23 we employed over 1450 staff, delivering services from approximately 100 locations across England and Scotland. During the year we worked with over 100,000 people, ranging from young children to older adults. We recognise that many of our clients are very vulnerable and we are working to ensure that all our staff members are aware of the dangers that people who use our services may face, including being victims of modern slavery or trafficking.
Our suppliers
Our supply chain includes clinicals supplies, utilities, IT and technology, consumables, pharmaceuticals, support services, consulting and professional services.
We procure our products and services from predominantly domestic suppliers. When evaluating a supplier, we take into account a number of factors including and not limited to: social value, the environment and achieving best value for our organisation.
Assessing Risk
We carry out person-centred, individual, risk assessments to inform the support and clinical treatment delivered to all who use our services. The risk assessment includes safeguarding, which encompasses the risk of clients being exposed to modern slavery; risk management plans and liaison with other agencies where necessary.
Our risk management approach for our supply chain includes supplier due diligence checks and contract management. For our employees and the people who use our services, we risk-assess and manage risk by the application of our policies and procedures, combined with incident reporting, raising concerns and safeguarding processes.
Policies and training
We have an in-house learning and development platform, all our staff undertake safeguarding adults and children training, and our frontline staff also complete ad-hoc e-learning modules that incorporate the Care Certificate standards, which include modern slavery.
We regularly review and update our policies to ensure they reflect the law and applicable best practice. Our current policies and guidance with direct relevance to modern slavery and employee responsibilities include:
- Safeguarding Children England and Scotland Policy
- Safeguarding Adults Policy
- Whistleblowing (Freedom to Speak Up) Policy
- Incident Management Policy
- Complaints and Feedback Policy
- Dignity at Work Policy
- Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Young Persons Domestic Abuse Policy
- Service User Risk Assessment, Management and Safeguarding Framework and Guidance
- Code of Conduct
- Domestic Abuse Guidance
During 2022-23 we have been reviewing our procurement practices and processes to ensure that, as part of establishing an effective supplier management framework, we remain compliant with the requirements under the Modern Slavery Act, the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act throughout our supplier base.
Belinda Phipps, CEO
On Behalf of the Board of Trustees
19 April 2023