Modern Slavery policy

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Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as: slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. All of which have in common the deprivation of a person's liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.

Essex Skills Centre have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships; implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.

We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners. As part of our contracting processes, in the coming year we will include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children. We expect that our suppliers will

hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.

This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity. This includes: employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.

This policy does not form part of any employee's contract of employment and we may

amend it at any time.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POLICY

The company directors have overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.

Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given adequate and regular training on the issue of modern slavery in supply chains.

You are invited to comment on this policy and suggest ways in which it may be improved. Comments, suggestions and queries are encouraged and should be addressed to the Operations Director.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY

You must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy.

The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy.

You must notify your line manager OR company Director as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred, or may occur in the future.

You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage.

If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur you must notify your line manager or company Director OR report it in accordance with our Whistle blowing Policy as soon as possible.

You should note that where appropriate, with the welfare and safety of local workers as a priority, we will give support and guidance to our suppliers to help them address coercive, abusive and exploitative work practices in their own business and supply chains. If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers more generally, or their working conditions within any tier of our supply chains constitutes

any of the various forms of modern slavery, raise it with your line manager or

company Directors.

We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine

concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may

be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains.

Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern.

If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your line manager immediately.

BREACHES OF THIS POLICY

Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.

We may terminate our relationship with other individuals and organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy.