MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT

Specialist Medicine Recruitment Limited is referred to in this Statement as ‘SpecialistMed’, or ‘the Organisation’ and the information included in this Statement refers to the financial year 2022.

This Statement confirms SpecialistMed’s commitment to ensuring our employees and representatives are protected under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and promotes our ethical business practices and policies to provide a method by which legitimate concerns or worries can be raised.

Modern slavery and human trafficking is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. SpecialistMed has zero-tolerance in all respects and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all of its business dealings and relationships.

Organisational Structure

SpecialistMed is a Limited Company with a centralised office based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

We are a specialist medical recruitment agency providing medical professionals to multiple healthcare establishments across the UK.

SpecialistMed considers that modern slavery encompasses:

• Human trafficking, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
• Exploitation (sexually or otherwise) e.g. poor or unsafe working conditions, long hours, low pay
• Forced work, through mental or physical threat.
• Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse.
• Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property.
• Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.

Our Commitment

SpecialistMed acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 by undertaking regular and ongoing reviews of our policies and internal practices to ensure compliance with our legal and ethical obligations.

Company Directors have overall responsibility for our Anti-Slavery and Trafficking Policy and that it is regularly monitored internally and communicated externally at the outset of all business relationships.

We expect our business partners to also operate in accordance with this Act, this is included in our Commercial Agreements and reinforced as necessary thereafter.

We will not enter into business with any other organisation, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

No candidates and/or professional staff provided by SpecialistMed in the pursuance of the provision of its own services will be obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. We strictly adhere to the standards required in relation to our responsibilities under relevant employment legislation and due to the market-place we work in, will in many cases exceed these minimum thresholds.

Supply Chains and Potential Exposure

In general, we consider our exposure to slavery/human trafficking to be very low and presently have not identified any risks in our supply chain but will take necessary precautions through due diligence and regular auditing ensure continued compliance.

Steps and Key Performance Indicators

To fulfil our duties in accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 we conduct due diligence with our main supply chains and other relevant business associates, to ensure that modern slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place by:

• Reviewing our Contractual Agreements to ensure they include termination powers in the event that the supplier is, or is suspected, to be involved in modern slavery.
• Undertaking audits prior to entering into any commercial agreement or relationship with any business where it is considered there may be a potential risk.
• Reviewing potential risks at regular intervals (including re-auditing).
• Requesting information pertaining to the measures they have in place to identify and assess the potential risks internally and within their own supply chains.
• Requesting evidence of their internal and commercial policies and processes including (but not limited to), modern slavery, human trafficking, whistle-blowing, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.
• Only engaging with supplier staff members who have undertaken appropriate training for assessing modern slavery risks in the supply chain and are authorised to sign contracts and establish commercial relationships.
• Ensuring that all of our suppliers are members, associates or affiliated to appropriate professional industry bodies and working groups.

Policies

SpecialistMed has a number of related policies in place, to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating modern slavery in the workplace, for example:

• Dignity and Respect at Work (covering: Bullying, harassment, victimisation and discrimination, anti-bribery and Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking policies)
• Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing) Policy
• Grievance, Disciplinary and Capability Policies
• Recruitment Policy
• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Health and Safety
• Quality Assurance
• Family Friendly
• Safeguarding
• Professional Registration and Qualification Policies

Supporting victims of Modern Slavery

If you are a victim of Modern Slavery, then please get in touch with us on 0204 548 2222, and ask for our Sales Director, Jeremy Atkin-Smith.
We will utilise our partnership with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (www.rec.uk.com) in assisting and supporting you.

Slavery Compliance Officer

Any concerns relating to modern slavery and human trafficking should be addressed to Jeremy Atkin-Smith, Sales Director who take necessary action in-line our Organisation’s obligations.

This statement is made in pursuance of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.