South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
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Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

  1. This statement sets out South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s (SYFR) commitment to ensure it does not actively encourage nor support slavery or human trafficking within the organisation, our business activities and within our supply chains.
  2. This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 which can be found using the following link:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/contents/enacted

  1. SYFR is committed to promoting a positive working environment where the dignity and respect, to which all employees are entitled, is not undermined. No employee should be treated less favourably on the grounds of race, gender or gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, religion or spiritual belief, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, marital/parental status, family ties, trade union or political belief, hours worked, or any other reason, either directly or indirectly.

Scope

  1. SYFR supports the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 which consolidates slavery and trafficking offences, introduces tougher penalties and sentencing rules and provides more support for victims.
  2. There are many types of modern slavery which include, but are not limited to:
  • Domestic exploitation
  • Labour exploitation
  • Organ harvesting
  • EU Status exploitation
  • Financial exploitation
  • Sexual exploitation
  1. SYFR will support the Act through:
  • Supporting victim identification through staff training and education
  • Partnership Working in collaboration with relevant agencies and groups
  • Responsible procurement practices
  1. SYFR has specific policies in the following areas to support its commitment to the Act:
  • Equality and Inclusion policies
  • Safeguarding policy
  • Confidential Reporting policy (Whistleblowing Policy)
  • Recruitment and Selection policy (ensuring responsible recruitment)
  • Procurement Strategy (ensuring ethical trading)

Supply Chains

  1. SYFR support responsible procurement practices which aim to encourage fair pay and working conditions in our supply chain and to assist in the identification and elimination of modern slavery and human trafficking.
  2. Any organisation that works with SYFR (i.e. partnerships and suppliers) are expected to understand and comply with the requirements set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. In addition, suppliers will also be expected to carry out checks on their sub-contractors to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking in the supply chain.
  3. SYFR takes a risk-management approach through identifying key vulnerabilities within the supply chain and as part of the tender process, suppliers are asked to self-certify if they comply with the Modern Slavery Act, where applicable.
  4. Where sub-contractors are being used, the main contractor is required to carry out checks on their sub-contractors.
  5. All new contracts include provisions to ensure compliance and to enable SYFR to take action where necessary.

Recruitment

  1. All staff that work for SYFR are in receipt of at least the UK minimum wage and SYFR has implemented the national living wage where possible.
  2. As part of the recruitment process, new employees will undergo robust immigration and pre-employment checks in line with the Governments Right to Work in the UK guidance.
  3. SYFR ensures that any neutral vendor used to source Temporary or Agency staff adheres to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 including the implementation of the UK minimum wage and robust immigration checks.

Business Fire Safety (BFS)

  1. BFS Inspecting Officers carry out audits and inspections of non-domestic premises in South Yorkshire and all BFS staff are required to have an awareness of modern slavery and its impact in the workplace. All BFS staff have undertaken awareness training from South Yorkshire Police relating to modern slavery in particular the signs and areas that may trigger an officers suspicions that modern slavery may exist, in a workplace or premises.
  2. BFS officers are aware of their duty relating to due diligence in this situation, in particular in labour exploitation. All staff are aware where to signpost any suspicions they may have relating to a premises they have visited.

Safeguarding

  1. The Care Act 2014 includes modern slavery as a form of abuse and requires that local authorities consider this when carrying out or requesting others to carry out a Safeguarding Adult Enquiry. The SYFR Safeguarding guidance and procedures provide detailed information on how to raise concerns about children or adults with care and support needs who are at risk of abuse or neglect. The National Referral Mechanism is the framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery, although Fire & Rescue services do not have first responder responsibilities.

Further Information

  1. Further information on modern slavery is available from:

Modern Slavery is closer than you think

Modern Slavery Website

  1. Help free the UK from Modern slavery, report it. If it’s an emergency call 999. Or, for help and advice from the Modern Slavery helpline call any time on 0800 0121 700 (free from landlines and most mobile phones). Or, you can visit the Modern Slavery website and complete the online form.

This content was last updated on October 03rd, 2022