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Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy

Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

River Stewardship Company is opposed to any form of modern slavery and human trafficking and is committed to combating any such activity connected to our business.  This statement outlines the steps we have taken to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place within our business or in any part of our supply chain.

Our Business

River Stewardship Company is a waterway maintenance, habitat restoration and landscaping company also providing environmental consultation.

We operate in the United Kingdom where the company conducts its business.

Our Supply Chain

Our supply chain includes directly employed professionals as well as third party suppliers to deliver particular expertise.  Our main types of suppliers are: -

  • Hard landscaping supplies
  • Waterways maintenance supplies
  • Trees and plant supplies
  • Hire machinery
  • Hire operated plant
  • PPE suppliers
  • Fleet vehicles
  • Hired in labour

Policies on Slavery and Human Trafficking

River Stewardship Company has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we have the following policies in place to aid our approach;

  • Anti-corruption & Bribery Policy
  • Anti-slavery & Human Trafficking Policy
  • Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedure
  • Whistle Blowing Policy

Risk Assessment and Management

Within the Company the highest risk areas for slavery lie in our resourcing and supply chain functions. We have therefore taken careful measures in particular to ensure these areas are free from modern slavery and that line managers are fully aware of how to handle such issues. There has been a risk assessment undertaken and appropriate managers have been given additional information on tackling modern slavery to ensure that these high-risk areas are fully capable of spotting and preventing slavery wherever possible.  

We have no areas of high risk within in our supply chain.

Due Diligence Process

We conduct due diligence on all new suppliers to assess their compliance with our anti-slavery and human trafficking policies. This includes:

  • Assessing the risk of modern slavery in our supply chain.
  • Reviewing supplier policies and practices to ensure they align with our standards.
  • Conducting audits and site visits where necessary.

Training

As part of employee and supplier induction all are required to review this statement and our Anti-slavery & Human Trafficking Policy, clarifying any questions they may have.

Staff involved in procurement and hiring in labour have been provided with additional information and responsibility to identify risk.

Relevant factsheets from the government link below have been distributed to appropriate employees.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-slavery-industry-factsheets

  • Construction-specific factsheet provided to Contracts, Project and Site Managers.
  • Recruitment agencies factsheet provided to the Operations Manager

Reporting Concerns

We encourage our employees, customers, and suppliers to report any concerns related to modern slavery in our operations or supply chain. Reports can be made, in confidence to our Managing Director or Business Support Manager.

Measuring Effectiveness

We have put in some basic performance indicators and will monitor their effectiveness and the need for any others that can be measured without introducing significant cost and bureaucracy.

  • All suppliers agree to our terms of business which includes signing up to ethical and legal commitments.
  • All employees are made aware of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and know what to look out for and who to report any concerns to.

Future Steps

River Stewardship Company is committed to continuously improving its efforts to combat modern slavery and within the next year we plan to;

  • Continue to carry out due diligence procedures on suppliers to mitigate modern slavery risk.
  • Review and update business risk assessments related to Modern Slavery, making any necessary amends to procedures.
  • Develop an inhouse training module for employees to support their understanding of their requirements.
  • Timetable a review of suppliers who were onboarded before October 2023.

Approval

This statement has been approved by the Chair of the Board of Directors and will be reviewed annually.

Peter Marsden

Chair of the Board of Directors

1st of October 2023