Gardener Thornton Heath Modern Slavery Statement

Commitment and Scope

Gardener Thornton Heath declares a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains. This statement applies to our employees, contractors and third-party suppliers engaged by the company. Our Thornton Heath gardener team is committed to ethical labour practices and continuous improvement in detecting and preventing exploitation.

Policy Principles and Core Actions

We set out the following principles as fundamental to our approach: respect for human rights, transparency, and proportionate remediation. Key actions include:

• Due diligence on high-risk suppliers and labour sources.
• Clear contractual clauses that prohibit forced labour and require compliance.
• Regular supplier audits and site inspections focused on worker conditions.
• Provision of training and awareness for staff and subcontractors.

We recognise that the nature of grounds maintenance, landscaping and horticultural services can involve seasonal labour and subcontracting. As a responsible gardener in Thornton Heath, we assess how roles such as labour hire, temporary placements and logistics might create risks of exploitation, and we tailor our controls accordingly.

Supplier audit processes are central to our prevention strategy. We operate a risk-based audit programme that combines documentary review, remote checks and on-site visits where appropriate. Supplier audits look for indicators such as withheld wages, restricted movement, excessive working hours and recruitment fees charged to workers. Where non-compliance is identified we require corrective action plans, monitor implementation and, where necessary, suspend or terminate relationships.

We maintain procurement standards that prioritise transparency. Our purchasing teams screen potential suppliers for labour risks and include anti-slavery clauses in procurement contracts. The procurement team receives regular briefings so the Thornton Heath gardener supply chain is subject to consistent standards.

Reporting channels are available to all staff, contractors and suppliers. We encourage early reporting of concerns and provide multiple safe avenues to do so. Reports are treated seriously, investigated promptly and followed up with appropriate actions. Our protections include confidentiality and non-retaliation provisions to safeguard whistleblowers.

Available reporting channels include:

• A dedicated internal reporting procedure for employees and managers.
• Anonymous reporting mechanisms for third parties where anonymity is requested.
• Escalation to senior management and a designated compliance lead for suspected modern slavery incidents.

When issues are substantiated, we seek to remedy harm to affected workers and collaborate with authorities or specialist agencies as required. Remediation may include repaying unlawful deductions, facilitating access to support services and terminating contracts with non-compliant parties.

Training, Accountability and Continuous Improvement

All staff in procurement, operations and HR receive training on identifying modern slavery risks and on our reporting expectations. Line managers are accountable for embedding policy in day-to-day decisions. We use incident data, audit findings and sector developments to refine our approach. The company emphasises proactive prevention through supplier engagement and capacity building.

Zero-Tolerance Enforcement and Remedies

Our zero-tolerance stance means that proven instances of modern slavery result in decisive measures: contract termination, sanctions against responsible parties and remedial support for affected workers. Contracts include clear termination rights and audit access provisions to enforce compliance.

We will monitor the effectiveness of our actions through measurable indicators such as audit coverage, number of training hours delivered, and outcomes of investigations. These metrics inform decisions and resourcing to continually enhance protections against modern slavery.

Annual Review and Statement Approval

This statement will be reviewed at least annually to ensure it reflects evolving risks, improvements to our due diligence and changes in law or sector practice. The annual review process includes an assessment of supplier audit results, reports received through our reporting channels, remediation outcomes and training completion rates. Results of the review will guide updates to policy, procedures and resource allocation.

As an organisation providing gardening and landscaping services, Gardener Thornton Heath remains committed to eliminating forced labour from our operations and supply chain. We adopt a pragmatic, risk-based approach that combines prevention, detection, remediation and continuous learning. By aligning procurement practice, supplier audits, secure reporting channels and a formal annual review cycle, our Thornton Heath gardening business seeks to demonstrate accountability and leadership in the fight against modern slavery.

Endorsed by senior leadership and subject to ongoing review, this statement represents our commitment to uphold human dignity across all aspects of our work.