Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is made on behalf of Cleaner Kingston upon Thames in respect of the financial year ending 31 March. It sets out the steps we take to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking do not occur within our operations or our supply chains, and reaffirms our commitment to ethical conduct in all aspects of our cleaning and related services.

Modern slavery is a serious violation of fundamental human rights and includes slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. Cleaner Kingston upon Thames recognises its responsibility to respect and protect the dignity and wellbeing of all individuals who work for us or on our behalf.

Our Organisation and Supply Chains

Cleaner Kingston upon Thames provides professional cleaning and associated services across the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and surrounding areas. Our workforce is made up of directly engaged employees and vetted agency staff. Our supply chains include the procurement of cleaning products, equipment, uniforms, facilities services, and certain subcontracted labour.

We recognise that some aspects of our supply chain, particularly the sourcing of cleaning materials and the use of labour providers, can present higher risks of modern slavery. We are committed to identifying, assessing, and minimising these risks through responsible purchasing and robust supplier management.

Zero-Tolerance Approach

We operate a clear zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, child labour, and exploitation. This applies to our own operations and to every organisation and individual we engage with. We will not knowingly work with any supplier, contractor, or partner that condones, is involved in, or turns a blind eye to modern slavery practices.

Any breach of this policy is treated as a serious misconduct issue and may result in termination of contracts, suspension of relationships, and reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate.

Supplier Standards and Audits

All new suppliers and contractors are required to confirm that they understand and adhere to our expectations on labour standards, including the prohibition of forced or compulsory labour, human trafficking, and any form of inhumane treatment. We expect suppliers to provide safe working conditions, fair wages, and transparent employment terms.

We conduct proportionate due diligence on higher-risk suppliers, which may include questionnaires, document reviews, and, where appropriate, on-site audits. Existing suppliers are subject to ongoing monitoring and may be re-assessed periodically to ensure continued compliance with our standards. Where issues are identified, we seek corrective action within clear timescales; failure to remedy concerns may lead to the ending of commercial relationships.

Training, Awareness, and Reporting Channels

We provide training and guidance to managers and relevant staff so they can recognise indicators of modern slavery and understand how to respond. Awareness materials are shared with teams to reinforce our expectations and to promote an open culture where concerns can be raised safely.

Employees, agency workers, and suppliers are encouraged to report any suspicion or evidence of modern slavery in our operations or supply chains. Reports can be made to line managers, senior management, or through internal escalation channels. Reports may be made anonymously where this is possible, and all concerns will be treated seriously and investigated promptly, with appropriate protection for those who raise them in good faith.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

Cleaner Kingston upon Thames is committed to continuously strengthening its approach to preventing modern slavery. We review our policies, risk assessments, and supplier due diligence processes on a regular basis to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to the risks we face.

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement will be reviewed, updated, and approved by the senior management team on an annual basis, or sooner if there are significant changes in our business operations or in relevant legislation. Updated statements will reflect the actions taken during the previous year and any planned improvements for the year ahead.

This statement has been approved by the leadership of Cleaner Kingston upon Thames, who take overall responsibility for ensuring that it is implemented and communicated throughout the organisation and our supply chains.