Statement on modern slavery

This statement sets out actions taken by Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to understand all potential modern slavery and human trafficking risks and to implement effective systems and controls.

We are fully aware of the responsibilities we bear towards our service users, employees and local communities. We are guided by a strict set of ethical values in all of our business dealings and expect our suppliers (i.e. all companies we do business with) to adhere to these same principles. We have zero tolerance for slavery and human trafficking. Staff are expected  to report concerns about slavery and human trafficking and management are expected to act upon them in accordance with our adult safeguarding policy and procedures.

• To identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our own business and our supply chain we:
• Undertake appropriate pre‐employment checks on directly employed staff and agencies on approved frameworks are audited to provide assurance that pre‐employment clearance has been obtained for agency staff
• Implement a range of controls to protect staff from poor treatment and/or exploitation, which comply with all respective laws and regulations. These include provision of fair pay rates, fair Terms of Conditions of employment and access to training and development opportunities
• Consult and negotiate with Trade Unions on proposed changes to employment, work organisation and contractual relations
• Purchase most of our products from UK or EU based firms, who may also be required to comply with the requirements of the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015) or similar legislation in other EU states.
• Purchase a significant number of products through NHS Supply Chain, whose ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’ includes a provision around forced labour
• With effect from January 2017, require all suppliers to comply with the provisions of the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015), through our purchase orders and tender specifications. All of which set out our commitment to ensuring no modern slavery or human trafficking related to our business
• Uphold professional codes of conduct and practice relating to procurement and supply, including through our Procurement Team’s membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply
• Where possible and consistent with the Public Contracts Regulations, build long‐standing relationships with suppliers

Advice and training about modern slavery and human trafficking is available to staff through our Safeguarding Children and Adults training, our Safeguarding policies and procedures and our Safeguarding leads.

This statement has been approved by the Executive Team of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who will review and update it on an annual basis.