Modern slavery

Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires all organisations to set out the steps the organisation has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains and in any part of its own business.

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust aims to follow good practice and take all reasonable steps to prevent slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to ensuring that all of our employees are aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and their safeguarding duty to protect and prevent any further harm and abuse when it is identified or suspected that a child, young person or adult may be or is at risk of modern slavery/human trafficking. We are also committed to ensuring that no modern slavery or human trafficking takes place in any part of our business or our supply chain.

Policies and procedures

The trust has policies, due diligence and risk assessment processes in place detailing risk management, safeguarding, whistleblowing and procurement.

Our commitment to contribute to the eradication of modern slavery is reflected in the safeguarding adults and safeguarding children and young people policies, which have been developed in accordance with safeguarding legislation and national guidance. All staff have access to the safeguarding team for support and advice if they have a concern, and the trust's safeguarding intranet pages include information, guidance and the Modern Slavery Helpline.

The trust’s freedom to speak up (including whistleblowing) policy details how staff can raise concerns that they may have confidentially. This can be through a conversation with a freedom to speak up guardian or contact colleague who will provide support to the individual raising a concern.

Trust activities and policies are required to have an equality impact assessment (EQIA) completed.

Training

Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff and includes information on modern-day slavery and human trafficking in order to promote the knowledge and understanding of escalating concerns internally and externally via the Home Office national referral mechanism. All staff have a responsibility to consider issues regarding modern slavery and incorporate their understanding into their day-to-day practice.

All new staff are provided with information on the freedom to speak up (including whistleblowing) policy and freedom to speak up guardians and contact colleagues at corporate induction.

Assessing and managing risk and due diligence processes

To identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our own business and our supply chain the trust:

• Adheres to the national NHS employment checks/standards (this includes employees UK address, right to work in the UK and suitable references).
• Follows NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions to ensure that staff receive fair pay rates and contractual terms.
• Consults Trade Unions on any proposed changes to employment terms and conditions.
• Has systems to encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistleblowers.
• Purchases a significant number of products through NHS Supply Chain, whose ‘supplier code of conduct’ includes a provision around forced labour. Other contracts are governed by standard NHS terms and conditions. 
• Upholds professional practices relating to procurement and supply, and ensures procurement staff attend regular training on changes to procurement legislation.
• Ensures the majority of our purchases utilise existing supply contracts or frameworks which have been negotiated under the NHS standard terms and conditions of contract, which all have the requirement for suppliers to have modern slavery and human trafficking policies and processes in place.
• Requests all suppliers comply with the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act (2015), through agreement of our ‘supplier code of conduct’, purchase orders and tender specifications.

The trust's board of directors has approved this statement and will continue to support the requirements of the legislation.

What is modern slavery?

Modern Slavery is a crime which encompasses human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced labour. Someone is in slavery if they are:

• Forced to work through mental or physical threat.
• Owned or controlled by an 'employer', usually through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse.
• Dehumanised, treated as a commodity or bought and sold as ‘property’.
• Physically constrained or have restrictions placed on his/her freedom.

Human trafficking is when people are moved and forced into exploitation. The movement can be international or within the country, from one city to another or even just a few streets.

Who does it affect?

Anyone can become a victim of modern slavery, and victims can be men, women, children and young people of all ages and cut across the population. The Home Office predicts that there may be as many as 13,000 victims in the UK alone.

How to get help?

If you think that you or someone else may be a victim of modern slavery it is important to tell someone.Share your concerns and seek advice from your doctor, nurse or any health or social care professional.

You can also contact the Modern Slavery Helpline for confidential advice and support. The number is free to call and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or visit: www.modernslaveryhelpline.org