Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Suffolk New College is a provider of further and higher education, operating across locations in Ipswich, Otley, Halesworth and Leiston.

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that Suffolk New College has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our supply chains or in any part of our business.

Suffolk New College has in place relevant policies to advise and guide its staff on ensuring there is no slavery or human trafficking within its own business and our supply chains.
We remain committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
We have identified the areas for potential risk are through the employment of staff and temporary workers and procurement.

Employment of Staff

Suffolk New College mitigates the risk of modern slavery occurring in its workforce by safeguarding directly employed staff by following Human Resources recruitment policies and procedures. Temporary staff are recruited through agencies with whom we have a preferred supplier agreement in place.

The organisation operates the following policies that describe its approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations:

Recruitment & Selection Policy & Procedure – Outlines the process for recruiting employees, and the mandatory checks which must be undertaken. In addition, Human Resources has added to its requirements for employment agencies on its Preferred Supplier List, to make clear they must be compliant with the Modern Slavery Act.
Whistleblowing policy – Suffolk New College encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the organisation. This policy has been reviewed and during the academic year we will post All Staff Communications to raise awareness of Whistleblowing and the procedure to follow to raise a concern.
Staff code of conduct – Suffolk New College makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
Supply Chain Policy/Purchasing and Procurement Policy – Suffolk New College is committed to ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Procedures ensure that suppliers demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. The college will endeavour to undertake due diligence when taking on new suppliers.

Corporation approval

This statement has been approved by the Corporation who will review and update it annually.

Stephen Pugh, Chair of the Corporation