Anti Slavery Policy Statement

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. 

Suffolk Mind has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, and we are committed to  acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to  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, and 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, and 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, including 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 

Suffolk Mind has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it. 

Suffolk Mind has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy,  monitoring its use and effectiveness, dealing with any queries about it, and auditing  internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering  modern slavery. 

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 it  and the issue of modern slavery in supply chains. 

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 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 report it in accordance with our Whistleblowing  Policy as soon as possible. 

You should note that where appropriate, and 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. 

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. If the  matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using our  Grievance Procedure. 

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. 

Safeguarding 

This policy does not alter your responsibilities under our Safeguarding policies which set  out how all concerns about the safety of children or adults at risk, including risk from  modern slavery, are to be handled. 

Approved by the Board on 23 May 2022