Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men using 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 several reasons including sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and organ harvesting.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 introduced changes in UK law, which focus on increasing transparency in supply chains.

As both a local leader in commissioning health care services for the population of Norfolk and Waveney and as an employer, the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) provides the following statement in respect of our commitment to, and efforts in, preventing slavery and human trafficking practices in the supply chain and employment practices.

Our organisation

As an authorised statutory body, Norfolk and Waveney ICB is the lead commissioner for health care services (including acute, community, mental health and learning disability services) in the Norfolk and Waveney area – covering a population in excess of one million, with a turnover exceeding £36 million.

Our commitment to Prevent Slavery and Human Trafficking

The Governing Body, Executive Management Team, commissioners and all employees are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business activity and in so far as is possible to holding our suppliers to account to do likewise.

Our approach

Our overall approach will be governed by compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and the maintenance and development of good practice in the fields of contracting and employment.

All our contracting and commissioning staff have mandatory safeguarding training which includes awareness on Modern Slavery.

During 2022-23 as part of our commissioning assurance process we will request evidence via the NHS contract schedule from all our providers regarding their plans and arrangements to prevent slavery in their activities and supply chain.

Our policies and arrangements

Our recruitment processes are robust and adhere to safe recruitment principles. This includes strict requirements in respect of identity checks, work permits and criminal records.

Our policies such as Safeguarding Adults and Children policies, Dignity at Work Policy, Grievance policy provide an additional platform for our employees to raise concerns about poor and inappropriate working practices. 

Our procurement approach follows the Crown Commercial Service standard. When procuring goods and services, we apply NHS Terms and Conditions (for non-clinical procurement) and the NHS Standard Contract (for clinical procurement). Both require suppliers to comply with relevant legislation.

Review of effectiveness

We intend to take further steps to identify, assess and monitor potential risk areas in terms of modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly in the supply chains of our providers. In 2023-24 we will commit to:

• continuing to provide expert support and advice, via ICB Designated Safeguarding Leads, into the commissioning process and supporting multi-agency work to respond to modern slavery and human trafficking
• continuing to gain assurance that all commissioned services have access to training on how to identify those who are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. This training will include the latest information for staff to develop the skills to identify and support individuals who encounter health services
• continuing to work with NHS funded and partner organisations to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are appropriately prioritised and feature prominently in safeguarding work plans.
• Continue to support the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership and the East Suffolk Community Safety Partnership, as the Health representative agency and actively engage and attend their anti-slavery partnerships and steering groups.