Modern Slavery Statement
Organisation
This statement applies to Rodericks Dental Partners Limited (referred to in this statement as “the Organisation”). The information included in the statement refers to the financial year 2024 / 2025.
Commitment
The Organisation acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Organisation understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its labour force and, additionally, its supply chains.
The Organisation does 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 labour provided to the Organisation in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Organisation strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in England and Wales.
As an Organisation we evaluate potential suppliers before we enter a contract and review existing suppliers on an annual basis to ensure compliance with Modern Slavery is adhered too.
This statement sets out our actions to understand the potential modern slavery risks related to our business and to put in place steps to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in our business and its supply chains.
Organisational structure
Roderick’s Dental Partners have over 223 dental practices nationwide and supplies dental products and services. We have over 2,900 employees and operate in England and Wales.
Definitions
The Organisation considers that modern slavery encompasses:
· human trafficking
· 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.
Potential exposure
The Organisation has taken steps to ensure that such practices do not take place in its business nor the business of any organisation that supplies goods and/or services to it.
Due Diligence Processes
The Organisation carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers.
The Organisation has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.
In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Organisation has taken the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place:
· Key contracts currently in place, compliance with Modern Slavery Act 2015 is stipulated within the agreements highlighting both organisation’s duties throughout the duration.
· The organisation undertakes appropriate financial and due diligence checks when considering taking on new suppliers.
· Any supplier or potential supplier who has an annual turnover of £36 million or more will be required to present their Modern Slavery Statement. This will be required annually.
· Those suppliers identified as not complying with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 or any Organisational policies and procedures will be removed as a supplier unless corrective actions can be agreed to ensure compliance to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
These processes will be subject to on-going assessment and review.
Policies
The Organisation has the following policies which further define its stance on modern slavery:
Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy – Reflecting our commitment to acting ethically in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.
Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy – The Organisation makes it clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the company. The Organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour.
Freedom to Speak up Policy, which incorporates Whistleblowing - We encourage concerns related to our activities and the supply chains of our organisation to be reported. Known as our “Freedom to Speak Up Policy” procedure is designed to make it easy for all colleagues to make disclosures and we have a confidential phone message and designated email facility to support this.
Process for Slavery and Human Trafficking
We have in place processes to:
• Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains.
• Protect whistle blowers.
Training
The organisation will raise awareness of modern slavery issues and in particular training our colleagues include:
• Understanding the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
• How to identify and report slavery and human trafficking
Raising Modern Slavery Concerns
Any concerns regarding Modern Slavery can be raised confidentially via our Freedom to speak up internal policy which will be addressed, and relevant action will be undertaken with regards to the Organisations obligations.
Email address: FTSU@rodericksdental.co.uk
Contact number: 020 8152 3303
This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.
Date of approval: 29th October 2024
Print name: Nicola Ward
Job Title: Chief People Officer
Date: 29th October 2024