Policies

Modern slavery statement 2023 to 2024

Introduction from the Chair and Board of Trustees

New Footings Ministries (NFM) has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we strive to act ethically and with integrity in all of our business dealings and relationships to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains. We will also ensure our approach and stance is clear with our partner organisations.

Organisation's structure

We are a local charity and offer the provision of temporary accommodation to those who are homeless and provide security, food, clothing and a non-judgmental attitude to those who have nowhere to sleep through a winter homeless shelter provision at present that the Board of trustees are hoping to develop into a more sustainable model.

We are governed by a Board of Trustees who volunteer their time to help direct our work. They oversee our Management Committee who manage our 0 staff and ? volunteers across the whole charity. We have No trading subsidiaries.

Our policies on anti-slavery and human trafficking

We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all of our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in the NFM or our supply chains.

We will treat any breach of our Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy very seriously. For example, any Trustee or Volunteer who breaches the policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.

We are regularly reviewing and updating relevant policies and have processes in place to monitor and maintain our policies at regular intervals.

An updated Ethical Code of Practice in line with the Charity Commission code of practice has been created which has a broader scope than our previous Supplier Code of Practice. It covers any 3rd party company or individual that has a contractual agreement in place with the NFM and requires them to use the same principles in respect of their own supply chain.

Supplier adherence to our values and ethics

In the past year, 5 of our suppliers and partners were categorised as being a ‘higher’ Modern Slavery risk based on an assessment of their industry, location and other factors. NFM have worked with each of them to seek further assurances against a number of criteria, as well as independently review their approach and efforts. 

In the future new suppliers, contractors and partners are required to sign our updated Ethical Code of Practice, which is referenced as standard in our contracts, and now the Sustainability assurance risk assessment forms part of our onboarding process. 

Colleagues in key areas are regularly reminded of Modern Slavery challenges to help enable the identification of any concerns which would need to be highlighted to Safeguarding. Further relevant training is being developed to share with the wider organisation.

Our approach to Sustainability is independently assessed annually with any recommendations implemented.

We will regularly assess the effectiveness of all actions, to ensure that they meet our objectives, and to determine whether further steps are required.

NFM’s continued commitment

We recognise the importance of maintaining constant vigilance to identify and address any issues associated with slavery and human trafficking in the NFM and throughout our supply chains. We are committed to continuing to enhance our capacity to identify, prevent and mitigate any actual or potential risks in these areas. This includes communications through various channels to internal staff and also the ability to report concerns through our Serious Concerns & Whistleblowing process.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54 (Part 6) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It has been approved by the Board of Trustees and is signed by the charity’s Chair Gary Mitchell.

Gary Mitchell
Chair
Autumn 2023

This will be updated on 10.01.24 

This will be updated on 10.01.24