Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy

A summarised version of our Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy. A full version is available on request.

1. Our commitment

Modern slavery is a serious crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. Otter Homecare is committed to preventing slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking within our organisation and our supply chains.

2. Scope

We take steps to ensure modern slavery and trafficking are not taking place in our business or supply chains. This policy links to our Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children in an Adult Setting policies.

3. Equality statement

We promote equal rights, person-centred care, independence and respect, and we work to remove discrimination across all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, upholding the Human Rights Act 1998.

4. Our policy in practice

• Recruitment: safer recruitment with right-to-work, identity, history and qualification checks.
• Agency workers: agency practices checked before we accept workers.
• Pay: staff are paid fairly and directly to their personal bank accounts.
• Safeguarding: integrated with local authority procedures.
• Training: mandatory induction including adult and child safeguarding, with competence monitored via supervision and spot checks.
• Whistleblowing: protected disclosures (Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998), with an anonymous route.

5. Supply chains & due diligence

Suppliers must comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We audit procurement, map our supply chain annually, and may terminate non-compliant contracts.

6. Modern slavery statements

Organisations with turnover over £36m must publish an annual statement. Otter is below this threshold, but we commit to proportionate transparency and will review this as we grow.

7. Reporting concerns

Internally, speak to your line manager or use our Whistleblowing / Grievance routes (anonymous option available). Externally:

• Modern Slavery Helpline (Unseen): 08000 121 700
• GLAA: 0800 432 0804
• Home Office immigration crime: 0300 123 7000
• Police: 101, or 999 in an emergency
• Local safeguarding — Wiltshire SVPP: 0300 456 0108; Somerset SCP: 0300 123 2224
• CQC: 03000 616 161