Modern Slavery Statement

We operate a number of policies and procedures which reflect our commitment to acting properly in all of our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls. They apply to all our employees and to anyone engaged on a temporary basis.

Our key policies and procedures which contribute to minimising the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our organisation and our supply chains include our:

  • Bullying and harassment policy – which is designed to help ensure that all of our staff and anyone that we fund is treated with both dignity and respect.
  • Risk management policy – which is designed to keep all our activities in line with all applicable laws, regulations and codes of governance (including in relation to slavery and human trafficking).
  • Health, safety and environment policy – a key aim of which is to ensure the wellbeing of all our employees and anyone else who may be affected by our activities.
  • HR procedures – we check that all our staff have appropriate right to work documents and ensure that they are paid fairly and enjoy a competitive remuneration package.
  • Procurement policy – which sets out a number of factors to be considered when selecting our suppliers, including whether the supplier will be a good business partner for Opcit. This in turn involves considerations of supplier reputation and compliance with laws and ethical procedures.
  • Agreements policy – our template agreements and standard terms and conditions require suppliers to comply with the law and include specific provisions in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Fraud and corruption policy – which reminds our people to take account of any improper or suspicious behaviour or situations, and to report and deal with the risk of fraud and corruption.
  • Speak Up policy – which provides guidance on how to report suspected dangers or wrongdoing in the workplace.

Our policies are monitored by a relevant policy owner within our organisation and reviewed at least every three years. We will continue to review our policies to ensure that they are effective and appropriate.

In particular, our procurement practices continue to review and strengthen our centralised procurement processes and policy, taking into account a range of risks, including slavery and human trafficking.

Our supply chain

We use suppliers to support the operations of our organisation. The key areas in which we engage suppliers are:

  • Social research (field research)
  • Social research (desk based and analysis)
  • Translation

Our supply chain due diligence

We have looked at all our suppliers and assessed the key ones in more detail to ensure that they have appropriate policies in place to minimise the risk of slavery and human trafficking in their business.

Based on our review, we are satisfied that our key suppliers have appropriate policies in place.

We also carry out due diligence checks on material suppliers and routinely monitor their compliance with applicable law (including in relation to slavery and human trafficking) as well as certain ‘key performance indicators’ such as training and paying the London Living Wage or the National Living Wage.

Due diligence and monitoring is ongoing and under review to improve supplier vetting and to minimise further a range of risks, including slavery and human trafficking. This is being led by our procurement team, assisted by our legal team.

Training

We try to ensure that adequate information and training is provided to all our employees, contractors or visitors on all relevant matters. Here are some examples of the information and training we provide:

  • all new joiners attend an induction session which includes information and training on our policies
  • our procurement practices ensure routinely seeking out information and training to help identify and address risks in both our organisation and supply chain (including in relation to slavery and human trafficking) and will continue to do so.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Opcit’s modern slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending June 2021.