Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

What is modern slavery? Modern slavery is an international crime, affecting an estimated 29.8 million slaves around the world. It is a growing global issue that transcends age, gender and ethnicities. It includes victims who have been brought from overseas and vulnerable people in the UK, who are forced to illegally work against their will across many different sectors such as health, hospitality, construction, retail and manufacturing.

Our policy Crooton Limited has zero tolerance to slavery, human trafficking and violation of slavery law. Modern slavery is recognised as a category of abuse within our safeguarding policies. Our values Our values: Integrity, Trust, Empower, Respect and Care underpin our culture and how we do business. They are embedded throughout our business and set the parameters for how we expect people to behave with their colleagues, service users and the world at large. We seek to treat everyone fairly and consistently, creating a workplace and business environment that is open, transparent and trusted.

Our policies and procedures relating to the Modern Slavery Act are in line with our culture and values. Our procedures have a number of procedures in place that contribute to ensuring modern slavery does not occur in our business or supply chains.

Employment 

Robust recruitment processes in line with UK employment laws, including: ‘right to work in the UK’ document checks; contracts of employment and checks to ensure everyone employed is aged 16 and above.

Crooton has a Recruitment, Selection and Appointment of Staff policy which clearly lays out the process for recruitment to ensure robust checks are made throughout the process.

Market-related pay and reward, which is reviewed annually.

An enhanced benefits package, providing additional health and welfare options to support our people’s (and their families) lifestyle choices.

Reporting knowledge or suspicion of slavery.

Crooton already have in place an independent whistleblowing line which ensures that anyone who has concerns, for example, about how staff are behaving or to report any suspicions our staff may have regarding modern slavery, has a means of raising their concerns confidentially.

Our employees have been signposted to the hotline in our communications. Crooton also has a Freedom to Speak Up policy to ensure that staff feel supported to raise concerns and feel free to speak up without fear of reprisal, and a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian to act as an impartial source of advice to staff at any stage of raising a concern.

Crooton has an Allegations Against Professionals policy which ensures any allegations made against staff are investigated thoroughly and appropriate onward referrals are made to external bodies and regulators.