Modern Slavery Statement — Gardening Services Acton

Gardening Services Acton is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in any part of our business or supply chains. This statement sets out our principles and the practical steps we take to ensure that our local gardening services in Acton are delivered ethically. We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labour, debt bondage and any form of exploitation, and expect the same standards from contractors and suppliers who support our work.

Our zero-tolerance policy

We maintain a clear and unequivocal stance: we will not tolerate modern slavery in our operations, whether in landscaping teams, seasonal labour or subcontracted maintenance. All staff and subcontractors are required to comply with our code of conduct and the Acton gardening services procurement standards. Any breach of these requirements will lead to disciplinary action, contract termination and reporting to the appropriate authorities where necessary.

Scope and responsibility

The policy applies across Gardening Services Acton: from grounds maintenance and hedge cutting to bespoke garden restoration. Senior management holds overall responsibility for modern slavery compliance, supported by operational managers who ensure adherence on the ground. Our commitment to ethical employment practices includes carrying out pre-employment checks, verifying right to work, and ensuring fair pay and working hours.

Supplier due diligence and audits — We recognise that risks can arise in third-party suppliers. To mitigate these risks we have implemented a risk-based supplier assessment process for all suppliers to our gardening services - Acton network. New suppliers undergo checks before appointment, and higher-risk suppliers receive enhanced scrutiny. Our supplier audits focus on employment practices, payroll records, recruitment processes and subcontracting arrangements.

Audit measures include:

• Document reviews of contracts, payslips and recruitment records;
• On-site visits to evaluate working conditions and management systems;
• Interviews with workers, conducted confidentially where appropriate;
• Remediation plans for any non-conformances discovered.

Where audits reveal concerns, Gardening Services Acton requires corrective action plans, timelines and follow-up audits. Persistent non-compliance results in suspension or termination of contracts. We also encourage suppliers to adopt modern slavery policies aligned with ours and provide guidance to improve practices.

Reporting channels and whistleblowing — We provide multiple, confidential reporting routes for workers, suppliers and members of the public to raise concerns about suspected modern slavery. Staff are encouraged to report issues to line managers, HR or via an anonymous whistleblowing mechanism. We treat all reports seriously and offer protection against retaliation.

Acton gardening services staff receive training to recognise signs of exploitation, such as restricted movement, unusual living arrangements provided by employers, withheld wages or identity documents, and coercive behaviour. We communicate reporting procedures during induction and through ongoing training sessions to ensure awareness across all teams.

Annual review and continuous improvement — This statement and our policies are reviewed at least once a year. The annual review examines the effectiveness of our risk assessments, supplier audits, training programs and reporting mechanisms. Outcomes of the review inform updates to our risk mitigation plan and resource allocation. We set measurable objectives, such as increasing supplier audits in high-risk categories and expanding worker awareness training.