Business and Supply Chain

Care is Central is an independent provider of elderly care. Care is Central provides a range of care services to older people within the Central Bedfordshire region. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care with integrity with the highest of standards.

Care is Central works in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council to build the very best possible care homes, we also work in partnership with a range of Social Housing providers delivering care and support to people living in both over 55s housing and in their own homes.

To deliver on these services Care is Central has a large number of suppliers and supply chains which makes the supply chain complex. Care is Central prioritises attention on the companies that supply the largest number of products and services, particularly those critical to the business.

Outlined below is Care is Central’s position on slavery and human trafficking which is reviewed annually to monitor risk assessments, supplier engagement and staff training.

Statement

Care is Central is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all its business dealings, and to enforcing systems that are in place to prevent modern slavery. Care is Central is transparent in its approach and expects the same level of transparency from suppliers to the business. Care is Central’s suppliers are required to comply with the law and their policy to combat the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children. Care is Central expects its suppliers to hold their suppliers to the same standards.

Checking compliance

Care is Central will review its supplier’s compliance statements on an ongoing basis, with priority being given to the larger suppliers. There will be a follow-up if there is insufficient or unsatisfactory compliance. All new suppliers will have to confirm explicitly that they comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Where a supplier does not comply, Care is Central will initially try to work with that supplier to assist them in improving their practice. If the supplier is unwilling to amend their practice Care is Central will review the use of that supplier.

Recruitment

Care is Central operates a robust recruitment policy, including conducting checks to establish eligibility to work in the UK for all directly employed staff. Agencies, approved by Care is Central, are audited to provide assurance that pre-employment clearance has been obtained for agency staff, to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.

Equal opportunities

Care is Central has a range of controls to protect staff from poor treatment and or exploitation, which comply with all respective laws and regulations. These include provision of fair pay rates, fair terms and conditions of employment, and access to training and development opportunities.

Safeguarding policies

Care is Central adheres to the principles inherent within both safeguarding children and adult’s policies. These are compliant with the multiagency agreements of the Clinical Commissioning Groups and Central Bedfordshire Council that Care is Central works with. They provide clear guidance so that employees are clear on how to raise safeguarding concerns about how colleagues or people receiving the care services are being treated, and about practices within the business or supply chain.

Whistleblowing policy

Care is Central operates a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues or people receiving care are being treated, and about practices within the business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.

Training

Care is Central’s staff handbook sets out the behaviours expected from its staff which include respect and acting fairly.

Care is Central provides mandatory training for safeguarding of children and adults where advice is given regarding modern slavery and human trafficking. This training is part of the staff induction and is updated annually. In addition there are safeguarding policies and procedures. All Care is Central staff who work face to face with suppliers will receive training to raise awareness on the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be required to support the continuous risk assessment related to this.

Care is Central is looking at ways to continuously increase awareness within its organisation, and to facilitate a high level of understanding of the risks involved with modern slavery and human trafficking in its supply chains and in the business.

Reporting of incidents

Staff who suspect that modern slavery may be taking place within Care is Central must report this to their line manager or use the Care is Central whistleblowing policy. Any concerns raised will be taken seriously, investigated and responded to appropriately. Any request for confidentiality will be respected to the extent possible under the applicable law and regulation.