Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

A person commits an offence if:

i) the person holds another person in slavery or servitude and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is held in slavery or servitude (modern day slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour); or

ii) if the person requires another person to perform forced or compulsory labour and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is being required to perform forced or compulsory labour

iii) they arrange or facilitate the travel of another person (victim) with a view to the victim being exploited (human trafficking): It is irrelevant whether the victim consents to travel and whether or not the victim is an adult or a child

A person is exploited if one or more of the following issues are identified in relation to the victim:

i) slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour
ii) sexual exploitation
iii) removal of organs
iv) securing services by force, threats and deception

The Chief Executive/Accountable Officer and the Director of Quality and Nursing are both members of the Integrated Care Board.

Matters of Safeguarding are brought to the Patient Safety and Quality Assurance Committee and are reported to the Governing Body on an exceptional basis. The Director of Quality and Nursing is a member of the Patient Safety and Quality Assurance Committee.

NHS Somerset ICB has a clear line of accountability for safeguarding: An Accountable Officer and Executive Lead for Safeguarding are in place, and responsibility for Safeguarding Children and Adults at risk is within the portfolio of the Director of Quality and Nursing.

The Designated and Deputy Designated Nurses for Safeguarding Children, the Designated and Deputy Designated Nurses for Safeguarding Adults, and the Clinical Lead/Named GP for Safeguarding Children & Adults, are an integral part of NHS Somerset activity.

NHS Somerset ICB also works closely with Somerset County Council, Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board, Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership, the Safer Somerset Partnership Board and key agencies on matters of safeguarding, including Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

In addition to our commitment to ensure that there is due diligence in relation to Modern Slavery and our procurement and supply chains, the NHS Somerset ICB also recognises that it is a partner in the multi agency activity to prevent people being exploited and the response to any incidence of modern slavery in the ICB area. NHS Somerset ICB recognises safeguarding as a high priority for the organisation. To achieve this, we ensure we have arrangements in place to provide strong leadership, vision and direction for safeguarding. We make sure we have clear, accessible policies and procedures in line with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.

NHS Somerset ICB ensures that organisations commissioned to provide services have appropriate systems that safeguard children in line with section 11 of the Children Act (2004), and adults in line with The Care Act (2014), who may be experiencing abuse and exploitation as set out in the above legislation and The Modern Slavery Act (2015).

The ICB’s Procurement Policy and Principles will be kept up to date to include a commitment to the ICB’s obligations under the Act and also the action it intends to take in its procurement processes.

The ICB’s contractual agreements (Standard NHS Contract) contain an obligation within clause SC1.2.2 for providers of services to “perform all of its obligations under the Contract in accordance with”

1.1.1 the terms of this Contract; and
1.1.2 the Law; and
1.1.3 good practice

In addition, under SC32 Safety and Safeguarding, there is a requirement upon all of our providers to have in place programmes for safeguarding and to co-operate with the Commissioner in pursuance of these.

The South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW CSU), which supports NHS Somerset ICB in its procurement activity, have confirmed their procurement approach, which includes a provision of compliance under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

As part of the SCW CSU procurement document, a Selection Questionnaire is used for the majority of procurements. Within Section 7 specific questions (see below) relating to the Modern Slavery Act are asked for in scope organisations. In line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, in scope organisations are those with an annual turnover of £36 million or more per annum.

Section 7 Modern Slavery Act 2015: Requirements under Modern Slavery Act 2015

7.1 Are you a relevant commercial organisation as defined by section 54 (“Transparency in supply chains etc.”) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“the Act”)? Yes ☐ N/A ☐

7.2 If you have answered yes to question 7.1 are you compliant with the annual reporting requirements contained within Section 54 of the Act 2015?

Yes ☐ Please provide the relevant URL

No ☐ Please provide an explanation

Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery guidance is included in the Safeguarding Policies

Section 10 of the Safeguarding Children Policy outlines the organisation’s duty and response to modern slavery and human trafficking

The Safeguarding Adult multi-agency policy in Somerset features the duty of partners to work together to support adults with care and support needs who cannot protect themselves from abuse, neglect and exploitation because of their care and support needs. This includes adults who are being exploited through modern slavery and human trafficking. The Safeguarding Adults policy outlines modern slavery in point 7.5.

The response to Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery is co-ordinated under the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership, Somerset Safeguarding Adult Board and Safer Somerset Partnership processes.

NHS Somerset ICB is committed to ensuring that there is no Modern Slavery or Human Trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.

NHS Somerset ICB adheres to the National NHS Employment Checks/Standards. This includes employees’ UK address, right to work in the UK and suitable references.

NHS Somerset ICB has in place systems to encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistle-blowers. Where possible, we build long-standing relationships with our Providers and make clear our expectations of business behaviour. With regard to national or international supply chains, we expect these entities to have suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and processes in place.

NHS Somerset ICB is committed to social and environmental responsibility and has zero tolerance for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Any identified concerns regarding Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking would be escalated as part of the organisational safeguarding process and in conjunction with partner agencies, such as the Local Authority and Police.

The NHS supply and procurement chain ensures that providers have measures in place to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking as part of being accepted as a trusted partner.

NHS Somerset ICB aims to be as effective as possible in ensuring that Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking is not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains:

i) Liaison with Safeguarding Leads within Provider services and Somerset County Council to identify safeguarding referrals pertaining to modern slavery and the outcomes of investigations undertaken.

ii) NHS employment checks and payroll systems (ie. people brought into the country illegally will not have a National Insurance number).

iii) Level of communication with our commissioned providers in the supply chain and their understanding of, and compliance with, our expectations in relation to the NHS terms and conditions. These conditions relate to issues such as bribery, slavery and other ethical considerations.

Reference is currently made to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking within NHS Somerset ICB’s mandatory Safeguarding Children and Adult training programmes and is compliant with the recommendations in the Safeguarding Children and Young People: Fourth Edition; January 2019, and Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff First edition: August 2018