Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement
Modern slavery is an international crime, affecting an estimated 29.8 million slaves around the world.
It transcends age, gender and ethnicity, manifesting in forms such as forced labour, human trafficking, and child exploitation. These crimes occur across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality. At BHT Sussex we are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and taking proactive steps to combat modern slavery and human trafficking within our services and supply chains.
Our Structure, Business and Supply Chains
BHT Sussex is a registered charity and housing association. Our mission is combating homelessness, creating opportunities and promoting change. Our operations include providing support to people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and people who have complex needs. Our services include legal advice services, general needs housing, day centre provision, residential rehabilitation, mental health services, specialist supported housing and learning and training initiatives.
We partner with local authorities, NHS Commissions, suppliers and contractors for the provision of our services. We work with local suppliers, ensuring alignment with our values and we have a zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery. BHT Sussex is led by an Executive and Senior leadership team and is governed by our Board of Trustees. The BHT Sussex central head office is in Brighton but we operate services across Sussex. Demand for our services is consistent throughout the year and its therefore nonseasonal.
Definitions
BHT Sussex considers that modern slavery encompasses:
- Human Trafficking
- Forced work, through mental or physical threat
- Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse
- Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property
- Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement
Our Commitment
BHT Sussex acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Modern slavery is a serious crime that is often hidden in plain sight in the communities we work with in Sussex. BHT Sussex understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its business activities, internal practices, in relation to its labour force, and, additionally, across its supply chains. This statement sets out the actions to be undertaken to prevent and address all modern slavery risks within BHT Sussex services (directly provided and commissioned) and supply chains.
BHT Sussex does not knowingly involve itself with organisations that operate in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour.
No labour provided to BHT Sussex, in the pursuance of the provision of its own services, is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. BHT Sussex strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in the United Kingdom and in many cases it exceeds those minimums in relation to its employees particularly in relation to our policies and staff training.
Supply Chains
BHT Sussex are developing a new supplier checklist in 2025/26 which will review whether our new suppliers have effective measures in place to comply with the Modern Slavery Act.
Due Diligence and Risk Management
BHT Sussex carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers. Positive, proactive and collaborative engagement with our suppliers increases openness, transparency, and efficiency in the management of supply chains. BHT Sussex has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.
In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, BHT Sussex will be taking the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place:
- Reviewing our supplier contracts to include termination powers in the event that the supplier is, or is suspected to be, involved in modern slavery
- Undertaking impact assessments of its services upon potential instances of slavery
- Taking any appropriate actions to embed a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery
Policies
BHT Sussex has the following policies which further define and support its stance on modern slavery: Safeguarding (Adults and Children), Recruitment, Salary and Remuneration Policy, Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Code of Conduct for Employees and a Code of Ethics. BHT Sussex is an accredited Living Wage Employer.
Values
Our values align with the Modern Slavery Act. Our policies are guided by our core values: Inspiring Change, Empowering People, Collaboration, Delivering Excellence, and Being Accountable.
Training
BHT Sussex operates a mandatory training programme for all staff including safeguarding (which highlights Modern Slavery risks) which is refreshed every three years. BHT Sussex’s online training and development platform offers “Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery” training.
Further Support
If you think you have been a victim of modern slavery, or you believe someone else is, you can reach out to the following organisations for support:
- Modern Slavery helpline (24/7 information and support): 0800 121 700
- Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 (can be anonymous)
- Salvation Army 24/7 helpline: 0800 808 3733
- Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: 0800 432 0804
- Medaille Trust: 0800 06 666 16 (for more information on spotting the signs of modern slavery and to discuss potential issues in your community).
Review
BHT Sussex will review its modern slavery statement every three years or in the light of legislative or significant organisational structure changes. This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Date of approval: 16/01/25
Signed: David Chaffey, Chief Executive
Date: 16/01/25
