This statement comprises the slavery and human trafficking statement of NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (the organisation) for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 54, Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The organisation recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking and is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities.
Modern day slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour
A person commits an offence if the person:
A person commits an offence if:
A person is exploited if 1 or more of the following issues are identified in relation to the victim:
As an authorised statutory body, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the lead commissioner for health care services (including acute, community, mental health and primary care) in Barking & Dagenham, City of London, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. The Membership, Governing Body, Executive Team 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 overall approach is governed by compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements and the maintenance and development of best practice in the fields of contracting and employment. The ICB recognises safeguarding as a high priority for the organisation. In order to achieve this we ensure that we have arrangements in place to provide strong leadership, vision and direction for safeguarding. We make sure we have clear accessible policies and procedures in line with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
We have a clear line of accountability for safeguarding within the ICB. The ICB’s Accountable Officer has ultimate accountability for ensuring that the health contribution to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults is discharged effectively across the whole health economy through commissioning arrangements. The Nurse Director is the Governing Body executive lead for safeguarding, and has responsibility for providing leadership and gaining assurance in relation to safeguarding issues within the ICB and locality. The ICB employs the expertise of Designated professionals for both children and adults. These roles are an integral part of the ICB’s activity and support the delivery of the safeguarding adult and children agenda.
The ICB ensures that organisations commissioned to provide services have appropriate systems that safeguard children in line with section 11 of the Children Act (2004) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), and adults in line with The Mental Capacity Act 2005, The Care Act 2014 and The Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The ICB is committed to ensuring that there is no Modern Slavery or Human Trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Safe recruitment principles are adhered to which includes strict requirements in respect of identity checks, work permits and criminal records. The pay structure is derived from national collective agreements and is based on equal pay principles with rates of pay that are nationally determined. Systems are in place to encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistle blowers.
With regards to providers and supply chains, we expect these entities to have suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and processes in place. We will use our routine contract management meetings with major providers to hold them explicitly to account for compliance with the Act and we will implement any relevant clauses contained within the Standard NHS Contract for 2021/22.
The ICB is committed to social and environmental responsibility and has zero tolerance for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Any identified concerns regarding Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking would be escalated as part of the organisational safeguarding process and in conjunction with partner agencies; such as the Local Authority and Police.
All of our contracting and commissioning staff are suitably qualified and experienced in managing healthcare contracts and will receive appropriate briefings on the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act). We undertake due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers, and regularly review our existing suppliers.
The ICB aims to be as effective as possible in ensuring that modern slavery and Human Trafficking is not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains by:
Slavery and Human Trafficking is part of the organisation’s Mandatory Safeguarding Children and Adults training programme.
This statement is made pursuant to Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our organisation’s modern slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year.
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