This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement has been published voluntarily by Trellis Care Limited in accordance with the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Trellis Care Limited is committed to acting ethically, transparently, and with integrity in all aspects of its operations. We recognise our responsibility to prevent modern slavery, servitude, forced labour, compulsory labour and
human trafficking within our organisation, supply chains and the services we deliver.
Although Trellis Care Limited does not currently meet the turnover threshold requiring publication of a statement under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, we believe that preventing exploitation is fundamental to delivering
safe, high-quality care and support. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking.
The Board of Directors and Senior Management Team are responsible for ensuring effective measures are in place to identify, prevent, manage and respond to modern slavery risks across the organisation.
Our Organisation
Trellis Care Limited is a provider of regulated health and social care services operating within England. We deliver person-centred care and support services to adults including older people, people with disabilities, people with mental
health needs and individuals with complex support requirements.
Our services are underpinned by the principles of dignity, respect, safeguarding, equality, human rights and person-centred care.
Organisational Structure and Supply Chains
Trellis Care Limited is governed by its Board of Directors, which is responsible for strategic leadership, governance and oversight of organisational compliance. Operational responsibility is delegated to senior managers responsible
for service delivery, safeguarding, workforce management, quality assurance, procurement and business operations.
Our supply chains primarily consist of recruitment and temporary staffing agencies, training providers, ICT and software suppliers, property maintenance contractors, office and care equipment suppliers and professional advisers.
The majority of our suppliers are based within the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, we recognise that modern slavery risks can arise within any supply chain and therefore maintain proportionate controls to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Our Commitment
Trellis Care is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our business, maintaining effective systems and controls to reduce exploitation risks, ensuring workers are treated fairly and lawfully, promoting safe recruitment practices, working only with reputable suppliers and contractors, supporting staff to identify and report concerns and protecting vulnerable individuals who may be at increased risk of exploitation.
Policies and Governance
Our commitment is supported through our Safeguarding Policies, Recruitment and Selection Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Procurement Procedures, Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policies and related governance arrangements. These policies are reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing compliance with legislation and best practice.
Due Diligence and Supply Chain
We undertake proportionate due diligence measures including supplier checks, supplier compliance expectations, procurement monitoring and consideration of modern slavery risks during contract management processes.
We work with reputable suppliers, conduct appropriate checks where necessary and expect suppliers to comply with applicable employment, human rights and safeguarding legislation.
Risk Assessment and Management
Trellis Care recognises that modern slavery risks may arise through agency staffing arrangements, labour-intensive service sectors, contractors and subcontractors, vulnerable adults at risk of exploitation and the recruitment
of migrant workers.
To manage these risks, we undertake Right to Work checks, verify identity and employment history, obtain references, use reputable recruitment agencies, conduct safeguarding risk assessments, operate robust whistleblowing
arrangements, undertake supplier due diligence and maintain clear escalation processes for concerns relating to exploitation.
Safer Recruitment and Employment Practices
Our recruitment processes include identity verification, Right to Work checks, DBS checks where required, employment reference verification, qualification checks and compliance with National Minimum Wage and National Living
Wage requirements.
Agency staff are sourced through reputable providers and we expect all recruitment partners to uphold equivalent standards.
Safeguarding and Service User Protection
We recognise that some individuals receiving support may be vulnerable to abuse, coercion, financial exploitation, criminal exploitation, county lines activity, cuckooing, domestic abuse or modern slavery.
We operate robust safeguarding procedures and work closely with Local Authorities, the Police, NHS partners and other agencies to identify, manage and report safeguarding concerns.
Training and Awareness
Staff receive training on safeguarding, modern slavery awareness, whistleblowing, equality and diversity and ethical practice. Employees are encouraged to identify and report concerns without fear of reprisal.
Training forms part of induction and ongoing workforce development to ensure staff remain alert to signs of exploitation and trafficking.
Reporting Concerns
Concerns may be raised through line management arrangements, safeguarding procedures, whistleblowing procedures or relevant statutory agencies. All reports are treated seriously and investigated appropriately.
Measuring Effectiveness
Trellis Care monitors the effectiveness of its approach through a range of performance indicators including:
· Percentage of employees completing safeguarding training.
· Percentage of employees completing modern slavery awareness training.
· Percentage of recruitment files evidencing completed Right to Work checks.
· Percentage of recruitment files audited for compliance.
· Number of safeguarding concerns relating to exploitation or trafficking.
· Number of whistleblowing concerns relating to exploitation.
· Percentage of key suppliers subject to due diligence checks.
These indicators are reviewed through quality assurance processes, internal audits and governance arrangements to support continuous improvement.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Trellis Care will continue reviewing supplier assurance arrangements, maintaining workforce awareness training, reviewing policies, monitoring safeguarding trends and strengthening governance oversight of modern slavery risks.
Approval and Annual Review
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement has been approved by the Board of Directors of Trellis Care Limited.
The Board retains overall responsibility for overseeing the implementation and effectiveness of the organisation’s anti-slavery arrangements, policies, procedures and risk management activities.
Trellis Care Limited is committed to continuous improvement in the identification, prevention and management of modern slavery risks. This statement will be formally reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on an
annual basis.
Any significant changes to the organisation’s operations, governance arrangements, supply chain or legislative requirements will trigger an earlier review where appropriate.