We fully support the Government’s objectives to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking

Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation. Individuals may be trafficked into, out of or within the UK, and they may be trafficked for a number of reasons including sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and organ harvesting.

MHA fully supports the Government’s objectives to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking and recognises the significant role the NHS has to play. We are strongly committed to ensuring our supply chains and operational activities are free from ethical and labour standards abuses.

Our commitment

Modern slavery can take place in a wide range of employment sectors, including health and social care. As a Community Health Provider we recognise our role in identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking who may come to us for care or treatment. This is part of our safeguarding strategy and arrangements. We are committed to ensuring there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or any part of our business activity. MHA’s values of delivering high quality care, improving access dovetails with the government’s aim to eradicate modern slavery in the UK. As a provider of community healthcare, MHA has a duty to uphold the principles of the Human Rights Act (1998), specifically article 4 which holds that people have the right to live free from slavery or forced labour.

Due diligence

MHA has policies and procedures in place to equip staff with the skills to identify and support victims of modern slavery and to ensure modern slavery is not taking place in our business activities and supply chains. Our safeguarding training includes role relevant awareness and understanding of modern slavery and helps staff identify, respond to and support victims of modern slavery and recognise the important role of the NHS in protecting these individuals.

Equality and diversity

MHA is committed to ensuring equality of access to employment and training opportunities. This policy aims to eliminate unlawful and unfair discrimination and ensure that all groups and individuals within the community benefit through having equal access to employment opportunities provided.

Freedom to speak up

MHA Freedom to speak up: Raising Concerns (Whistleblowing) Policy for ensures that staff have the right to and are supported in raising concerns for example about poor working practices.

Recruitment

MHA has recruitment processes in place to ensure that we do not employ anyone without the correct right to work documentation. All external candidates are requested to produce documents confirming their right to work in the UK. MHA will also verify an applicant’s identity to ensure it is genuine and that the individual has the right to use that identity. Where we engage employees or workers who require a work permit or visa to work in the UK, we carry out regular audits to ensure these documents remain valid. When using employment agencies, we only use specific reputable companies to source workers and always undertake compliance checks prior to their use.