Modern Slavery Statement
At Avante Care & Support, we recognise our responsibility to prevent modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and exploitation within our organisation and throughout our supply chain.
This statement sets out the actions we have taken to understand potential modern slavery risks and the steps we have put in place to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place within our business or our supply chains.
It is made under section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and outlines the measures we continue to take to promote ethical and transparent working practices.
Our Organisation
Avante Care & Support provides home care, extra care, dementia care, nursing care, residential care, and respite care services for older people and vulnerable adults across South East London and Kent. We operate twelve care homes, and our home care and extra care services are delivered from offices in Bexley and Faversham.
We are committed to making a positive difference for those we care for and work with as part of our team. We take a person-centred approach with the belief that ‘everyone matters’.
We have adopted the Eden Alternative as our philosophy of care at Avante Care & Support. The philosophy provides a framework for staff to consider ‘care’ differently, taking a positive approach and seeing the move to a care home as the start of a vibrant new chapter. We take pride in our SPARKLE values, which underpin everything we do and guide us in treating everyone fairly, promoting human rights, and challenging any form of exploitation or abuse.
Our Commitment
We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically, with transparency, and in full compliance with relevant legislation. Our governance framework and leadership culture reinforce this commitment, ensuring that modern slavery considerations are embedded into our decision-making processes, risk assessments, and daily operations.
Our Supply Chains
Our supply chains include the procurement of care and medical equipment, food and catering supplies, cleaning and maintenance services, agency staffing, utilities, and waste management services. We work only with suppliers and partners who share our values and are equally committed to ensuring fair treatment, lawful employment, and safe working conditions. Suppliers are expected to demonstrate compliance with all relevant legislation, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and to maintain transparency throughout their own supply chains.
Policies and Procedures
We are committed to upholding human rights, promoting equality, and preventing modern slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation in all areas of our organisation. Our policies support this commitment. For example, our Recruitment Policy ensures all staff have the legal right to work in the UK and are not subject to coercion; our Whistleblowing Policy allows employees to raise concerns safely and confidentially; our Harassment and Bullying Policy and Equality and Human Rights Policy reinforce our zero-tolerance approach to negative behaviour, unfair treatment or exploitation; our Supplier Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for ethical conduct and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act; and our Safeguarding Policy ensures staff are trained to recognise and report abuse or neglect. These are just some of the key policies that together form a robust framework, supporting ethical, respectful, and fair practices across all our services and supply chains.
Due Diligence and Risk Management
We continue to assess and manage risks of modern slavery through robust due diligence and ongoing supplier monitoring. This includes carrying out checks on new suppliers and contractors before engagement, requiring formal confirmation of compliance with relevant legislation, and reviewing higher-risk areas such as agency workers and international recruitment.
We maintain clear reporting mechanisms for staff and stakeholders to raise concerns, and we actively monitor supplier performance to identify any emerging risks. Staff are encouraged to report potential conflicts or breaches through the Whistleblowing Policy or our dedicated confidential reporting channels. Information on these channels, including mobile and digital access via our integrated workforce system, is available to all staff across our services.
Looking Ahead
We are committed to continuous improvement in identifying, preventing, and mitigating the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within our organisation and our supply chains. Over the coming year, we will continue to review and strengthen our procedures, enhance staff awareness, and ensure that new and existing suppliers meet our high ethical standards. Through collaboration, transparency, and vigilance, we aim to uphold the principles of fairness, dignity, and respect in everything we do.
Approval
This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors of Avante Care & Support and signed on their behalf. It will be reviewed and updated annually.
