Hedge Trimming Downham Modern Slavery Statement

Hedge Trimming Downham is committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, human trafficking and any form of forced labour in our operations and supply chain. We recognise that the nature of landscape and garden maintenance creates specific supply chain risks and we take those responsibilities seriously. Our commitment extends to all employees, contractors and partners who work with Downham hedge trimming services, and we expect the same standards from our suppliers and subcontractors.

Scope and Commitment

Our statement covers all activities carried out by Hedge Trimmers Downham and our contracted suppliers. This policy applies equally to permanent staff, seasonal workers and any agency labour engaged to support hedge trimming in Downham and surrounding areas. We have established clear expectations in procurement documents and contracts that require compliance with labour laws and respect for worker rights. We maintain a culture where abusive or exploitative practices are not tolerated and will be investigated thoroughly.

To ensure practical implementation we operate a supplier due diligence and assessment programme that includes regular supplier audits. The supplier audits process is designed to identify risk indicators such as excessively long working hours, withheld wages, restricted movement, inadequate accommodation or coercive recruitment fees. Our approach includes:

• Pre-qualification screening of suppliers and subcontractors.
• On-site and remote audits combined with documented corrective action plans.
• Follow-up verification to ensure timely remediation where issues are identified.

We emphasise prevention through training and awareness. Staff involved in procurement, site supervision and human resources receive training on the signs of modern slavery and the steps to take if concerns arise. Our recruitment practices mandate checks on employment eligibility and insist on transparent contracts. For all Downham hedge trimming engagements we require suppliers to provide evidence of lawful employment and clear payroll records, and we periodically review those records as part of our monitoring activity.

Reporting channels are a core part of our response framework. Employees, contractors and third parties can report concerns confidentially and without fear of reprisal. We provide multiple reporting channels that include anonymous reporting options and internal escalation pathways. All genuine reports are investigated promptly by a designated compliance lead and HR representative, with external independent review where appropriate. Our whistleblowing provisions are actively promoted so that anyone involved in hedge maintenance or supply can raise issues safely.

Supplier audits are supplemented by contractual clauses requiring cooperation with investigations and allowing access to records and sites when necessary. Where audits reveal non-compliance, we implement time-bound corrective action plans with clear milestones. Failure by a supplier to remediate serious or systemic breaches may result in termination of contracts and removal from our preferred supplier list. We publish a summary of outcomes from significant audits internally as part of governance reporting.

Oversight and accountability sit with senior management and are reported to our board-level sponsors. Responsibilities for implementation of this modern slavery policy are allocated across functions: procurement manages supplier risk, operations implement on-site controls, and HR oversees recruitment and worker welfare. We ensure that site managers supervising hedge trimmers are trained to spot indicators of exploitation and empowered to take immediate protective action where worker safety is at risk.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

We commit to an annual review of our modern slavery practices for Hedge Trimming Downham and related services. The annual review assesses our risk profile, effectiveness of supplier audits, incident handling, training reach and any changes in legislation or sector guidance. Findings from the review lead to updated policies, improved contractual terms and enhancements to our audit methodologies. Progress against improvement plans is tracked and reported internally.

In conclusion, Hedge Trimming Downham maintains a clear zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and forced labour. We actively monitor our supply chain with robust supplier audits, promote secure and accessible reporting channels, and perform an annual review to strengthen protections for workers involved in hedge trimming in Downham. We will continue to evolve our controls and collaborate with stakeholders to minimise risk and ensure fair, legal and ethical working conditions across all our activities. This statement will be reviewed and republished annually to reflect progress and any necessary policy updates.