Modern slavery statement - Council policies, strategies and procedures

Modern slavery has a devastating and long lasting impact on victims and is often a hidden crime, undetected for years.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places specific responsibilities on organisations to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not exist within its supply chain or in any part of its own business.

We are committed to using our powers, influence and responsibilities to prevent and act against modern slavery. This statement outlines our intentions, actions and policies aimed at ensuring there is no modern slavery in our own activities or in our supply chains.

This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 and will be reviewed annually.

The cabinet has also committed to Herefordshire Council using its powers and influence to take the following steps to protect people in Herefordshire from exploitation and to prevent modern slavery taking place in the county.

• Proactive – improve awareness, understanding and identification of modern slavery with council staff and members being proactive in reporting suspected incidents
• Protect – safeguard children and adults to not be at risk of modern slavery, and support victims with care and services
• Partnership – to work in partnership with other agencies, residents and businesses to address the causes and effects of modern slavery on people
• Providers – create effective systems and controls to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place through the contracts we hold
• Prosecute – to work with agencies to gather evidence to hold perpetrators to account
• Policies – to have in place the policies and practices that enable the reporting of modern slavery and reduces the exploitation of people in the first place

Modern slavery statement

Modern slavery page