Gardeners Forest Hill Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners Forest Hill is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and human rights across all our operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our position on forced labour, human trafficking and exploitation in our own activities and those of our supply chain. We operate with a zero-tolerance policy for any form of modern slavery and expect the same high standards from our partners and suppliers.

Scope and commitment

Our commitment as Gardeners at Forest Hill covers direct employees, contractors and the wider network of suppliers that support our landscaping, maintenance and horticultural services. We emphasise that no instance of slavery or trafficking is acceptable and any allegations will be met with immediate investigation and decisive action. All staff are required to complete training to recognise signs of exploitation and to escalate concerns.

To ensure continual vigilance, we operate a programme of supplier audits and due diligence that targets higher-risk suppliers and categories. Those audits assess working conditions, recruitment practices, subcontracting and record keeping. Audit findings result in corrective action plans or, where necessary, the termination of relationships with suppliers who refuse to comply with our standards.

Policies and procedures

We maintain a suite of policies that reinforce our stance: a zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery, a code of conduct for suppliers, and clear procurement terms requiring compliance with labour and human rights laws. These documents are reviewed and communicated to teams and contractors regularly. Our approach for Forest Hill gardeners integrates these policies into daily operations and contractual obligations.

Supplier management and audits

The supplier audit process for Gardeners, Forest Hill includes desk-based checks, site visits and worker interviews where appropriate. We prioritise suppliers by risk score and frequency of engagement. Audit outcomes are documented and monitored, and repeat non-compliance triggers escalation to senior management. We also use random spot checks to validate reported improvements.

Key elements of our supplier assurance include:

• Contract clauses requiring adherence to anti-slavery principles and the right to audit.
• Training and capacity building for small suppliers to meet expectations.
• Transparent record keeping of recruitment fees, wages and hours worked.

Reporting channels and protections

Gardeners of Forest Hill maintains multiple confidential reporting channels for employees, contractors and third parties to raise concerns about suspected modern slavery. Reports are treated seriously, investigated promptly and acted upon. We ensure anonymity where requested and protect whistleblowers from retaliation. All reports are logged and reviewed by a cross-functional team.

When a report is substantiated, our response may include: suspension of suppliers, remedial action plans, law enforcement referral and support for affected individuals. We work with local authorities and specialist organisations to secure appropriate care and remediation for victims.

Governance and continual improvement are central to our approach. We conduct an annual review of our Modern Slavery Statement and related procedures to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. This review examines audit outcomes, training completion rates, and the number and nature of reports received. Findings lead to updated policies, revised risk assessments and enhanced supplier engagement.