Introduction from Martyn Heginbotham, CEO
It is a priority for Milewood to ensure that we trade ethically, source responsibly and work to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking throughout our organisation and in our supply chain. This statement highlights our commitment to combat modern slavery in our organisation and supply chain.
At Milewood we aim to have transparent business operations and performance. We follow a set of values that guide our governance procedures and management decisions. We are committed to providing a service that benefits the people we support, colleagues and the wider community and we take our corporate responsibility obligations seriously. Our values are consistent with preventing modern slavery and human trafficking.
There have been no suspected cases of modern slavery or human trafficking during 2024/5. If a case was suspected or found we would report it to the Police as a crime.
This statement is made in accordance with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act (2015) and was approved by the Board.
Our business
Milewood is a provider of registered care homes with and without nursing, and a number of supported living services. We support individuals with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and other complex needs.
We pride ourselves of delivering high quality person centred care to our the people we support. Our employees are a key component of our care delivery. A key component of our care delivery are our suppliers who are predominantly UK suppliers who we work closely with to develop close ties.
Our supply chains
Our supply chains include a wide range of products and services including but not exhaustive: construction, utilities, staffing, food and catering and waste removal.
Our commitment on slavery and human trafficking.
We are committed to ensure that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.
Our commitment is to act ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.
Due diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk we:
- Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains
- Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains
- Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains
- Protect whistle blowers
- Have in place a number of policies which reaffirm our commitment to protecting those who work with or within our business
Our policies
We are proud to have in place a range of policies which represent our commitment to mitigating the risks of modern slavery, and acting with integrity and ethics in our business. These include:
- Recruitment and Selection Policy
- Bullying and Harassment Policy
- Disciplinary Action (Policy
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Grievance Policy
- Freedom To Speak Up (Whistleblowing) Policy
- Safeguarding Adults Policy
- Staff Code of Conduct
We will continue to review our practices regularly and take appropriate steps to strengthen our approach to preventing modern slavery in all parts of our operations.
Raising a concern
If you believe or suspect that a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must report it through speakup@milewood.co.uk confidential email address where your concerns will be internally escalated.
Alternatively, you can reach the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for Milewood through speakup@milewood.co.uk
We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this statement, even if they turn out to be mistaken.
Supplier adherence to our values
We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking and require our suppliers and contractors to comply.
Training
We make our employees aware of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business.
As part of our Safeguarding Adults training, which achieved a 95% compliance rate this year, modern slavery is a key component. This foundational training ensures that all colleagues are aware of the signs of modern slavery and understand their role in preventing it and reporting anything they suspect.