Modern Slavery

STRESS FREE EXECUTIVES LTD MODERN SLAVERY POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT

This statement is published pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It outlines the position of, and steps taken by Stress Free Executives Ltd – Yowsun Care to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking taking place within our business and supply chains.  

Introduction  

We understand that modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced labour, human trafficking, and is a growing global issue. Stress Free Executives – Yowsun Care has a zero tolerance approach to any kind of modern slavery within our organization of supply chains. We all have a responsibility to be alert to the risks within our business and supply chains and will ensure that effective controls are in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within our business and supply chains.  

All members of staff are expected to report concerns using the appropriate channels and senior management will act upon all concerns raised.  

Our Business  

Stress Free Executives – Yowsun Care operates community, home care and care home-based care recruitment services in different locations around Essex and London across different local Authorities.   

Our core service offering, centres on the delivery of personal care and support to enable people to remain at home and maintain their independence.  

Supply Chains  

As a provider of community-based Care Services, the Company’s procurement needs are relatively simple, mostly including:  

Uniforms and PPE for Care Workers  

Provision of Care Workers for community/home-based clients.  

Providers of agency staff  

Providers of PAs for direct payment service users  

IT and communication equipment suppliers  

Legal, accountancy and consultancy  

Cleaning contractors  

Rental, furnishing, equipping/maintenance of office space.  

Utilities providers  

Due Diligence  

Our supplies are required to confirm compliance with relevant legislation including the Modern Slavery Act.  

Policies and Procedures  

We operate several internal policies and procedures that ensure we are conducting our business in an ethical, fair, and transparent manner. These include:  

Anti-Slavery Policy: sets out the Company’s stance on modern slavery and explains how employees can identify any instances of this and where they can go for help.  

Recruitment Policy: including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.  

Whistle-Blowing Policy: ensures that all employees know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.  

Employee Code of Conduct explains the way we behave as an organisation and how we expect our employees and suppliers to act.  

Human Rights Policy: outlines that Stress Free Executives – Yowsun Care has a zero tolerance to abuse of human rights within any part of the business or supply chains. We will take all allegations seriously that human rights are not properly respected.  

Steps Taken and Further Action  

During the past months, Stress Free Executives – Yowsun Care has:  

Revised our Safeguarding Policy to include reference to modern slavery, its definition, and indicators.  

Incorporated reference and explanation of modern slavery into its safeguarding training for all care workers; providing staff with an awareness of how and when to report concerns.  

During the coming year, the Company will take the opportunity to:  

Revise its supplier policy to refer to modern slavery.  

Require all existing suppliers to complete an ethical supply chains checklist Conduct risk assessment on all suppliers to assess the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking. 

The policy statement is intrinsically linked to our business strategy, mission, values, and culture.  

Compliance with the Policy 

Every employee must ensure to read, understand, and comply with this policy. The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chain 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 manager OR the Procurement Department 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 of suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or the 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 manager or report it in accordance with our Whistleblowing Policy as soon as possible. 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 chain constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, raise it with your manager or the Procurement Department. 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 part of our supply chain. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your manager immediately. 

Communication and Awareness of Policy 

Training on this policy, and on the risk our business faces from modern slavery in its supply chain will be given where needed. Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors, and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter. 

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. 

Training and Awareness  

Stress Free Executives – Yowsun Care specifically covers the definition and indicators of modern slavery and human trafficking within its Safeguarding training. This is further supported by internal communications raising awareness of the expectation on staff to report concerns.  

Approval  

This statement is approved and signed by the Managing Director, on behalf of Stress-Free Executives Ltd– Yowsun Care.  This policy is due for review in January 2025 or as required by law.