Change Network Limited is a consultancy which provides professional services to essential service providers in the UK. The professional services industry is not typically considered a high-risk sector for human rights, or labour related breaches. However, we are aware that risks can arise within our supply chain, and we also have a duty to raise awareness, help identify and prevent Modern Slavery in accordance to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The impact of climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, and the world’s adjustment to life following Covid-19 has increased the vulnerability of the global worker population to exploitation and unfair treatment. These events increase the need to support our people and supply chain to drive forward improvements in modern slavery risk identification, prevention, and remediation.
Our Statement
Change Network are committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery.
We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes we 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.
Change Network Ltd will take the following steps in relation to slavery and human trafficking:
- Embed a whistleblowing policy to support any of our staff or supply chain to raise any concerns about slavery or human trafficking;
- Ensure practices for checking all employees are paid at least the living minimum wage and have the right to work and work towards being an accredited Real Living Wage Employer;
- Ensure our template commercial agreements include an obligation that suppliers will comply with the Modern Slavery Act;
- Identify high-risk areas in our supply chain, and complete a risk assessment and address any areas of concern.
- Provide training to our staff on Modern Slavery Act, including how to identify Modern Slavery and how to report any concerns.
- Appoint an individual who will be responsible for ensuring the company is compliant with this policy.
Identifying high-risk areas in our supply chain
The nature of our business and the relationships we have with our partners and suppliers makes our risk of exposure to slavery and human trafficking low. However, we will undertake regular risk assessments on our supply chain to ensure compliance with this policy. Should any of these conditions change or we seek to build business relationships in sectors that are of a higher risk, we will ensure to readdress this statement and make appropriate adjustments.
Minimising risk in our supply chain
We are committed to doing business ethically and legally and will seek to leverage our buying power to advance human rights. We will ensure that compliance with the Modern Slavery Act becomes part of our due diligence research when selecting new suppliers and sub-contractors.
We will also ensure that our contractual templates contain an obligation that requires suppliers and sub-contractors to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Our people
Change Network carries out employment checks prior to employment to ensure potential employees are legally allowed to work in the UK. We do not employ people under the legal minimum age.
As part of our onboarding process, we ensure new starters are aware of and understand our business policies.
All employees will be provided training, and made aware of the signs which may indicate an individual is a victim of slavery or human trafficking
Roles and responsibilities
We expect all of our team members, whether permanent or our associate network, to share our commitment to Modern Slavery and reflect this in our approaches to recruitment, engagement, accreditation of associates and onboarding.
Our Modern Slavery Statement applies to all Change Network employees, associates, secondees, agency staff and third parties that we may choose to sub-contract. It also applies to the goods and services we procure, our direct operations and the services we provide to our customers.
Along with the overall responsibilities that every one of our team and supply chain has, we take our commitment to Modern Slavery prevention seriously. Our directors own this policy and hold specific responsibilities to review progress no less frequently than yearly.
All line managers at Change Network are responsible for ensuring that their teams are aware of their responsibilities under the Policy and that it is fully implemented and all team members (both permanent and contracted) have a contractual commitment to comply with this policy.
Reference Materials
Legislation – Modern Slavery Act 2015
Further information, guidance and resources: Modern slavery – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)