Modern Slavery Statement — Gardening Thamesmead

Gardening Thamesmead is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all parts of our operations and supply chain. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our approach to risk management, supplier oversight and the steps we take across our gardening in Thamesmead activities. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of forced labour, exploitation or human trafficking in the delivery of Thamesmead gardening services.

We require all employees, contractors and partners engaged in Thamesmead garden services to adhere to our ethical standards. Our recruitment and labour practices are transparent, fair and documented. We insist that pay, working hours and conditions meet applicable legal requirements and industry expectations. Where temporary labour or subcontractors are used, we conduct targeted checks to ensure compliance with our policies and to protect workers from vulnerability to exploitation.

Zero-Tolerance Policy and Commitments

The organisation operates a clear zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery and forced labour. All staff receive a statement of values on induction and ongoing training that underlines our expectation: any instance of suspected slavery will be escalated immediately. Gardening in Thamesmead will not tolerate practices that undermine worker rights, and breaches will lead to contractual action or termination. We also require suppliers to formally acknowledge our expectations as part of procurement.

Due Diligence and Supplier Audits

We perform due diligence on suppliers and contractors that provide goods and services to Gardening Thamesmead. This includes risk-based screening, contract clauses requiring compliance with anti-slavery laws, and periodic reviews. Our supplier audits combine desk-based checks and on-site visits focused on recruitment, payroll, subcontracting and accommodation where relevant. Thamesmead gardening partners with auditors to validate documentation and worker interviews when required to verify compliance.

Supplier audits are a cornerstone of our approach: we prioritise higher-risk suppliers for deeper review, and we apply corrective action plans with timelines where issues are identified. Audits evaluate recruitment fees, transparency of employment terms, and the ability of workers to leave employment voluntarily. Where suppliers fail to address serious concerns, contracts are suspended or terminated and alternative arrangements are sought.

Our approach to procurement includes contractual obligations and monitoring. We also integrate social compliance checks into tender assessments and ongoing supplier performance reviews. As part of our compliance framework, stakeholders in Thamesmead gardening operations must report any irregularities without delay.

Reporting Channels and Worker Protection

We provide multiple confidential reporting channels for staff and contractors to raise concerns about slavery, exploitation or unsafe working conditions. Reports can be made internally through designated managers, and we maintain processes to protect whistleblowers from retaliation. We record and investigate all allegations promptly and proportionately, ensuring that any victim receives appropriate support. The safety and dignity of workers in Gardening Thamesmead workstreams remain central to our response.

Our practical measures to reduce risk include:

• Risk assessments across supply chains for materials and seasonal labour;
• Regular supplier audits and follow-up corrective action;
• Training for staff on recognising signs of exploitation and reporting;
• Contract clauses requiring suppliers to comply with anti-slavery standards;
• Clear policies on recruitment fees and transparent terms of employment.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement — Gardening Thamesmead undertakes an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and its implementation. The review assesses the effectiveness of our policies, audits, training and reporting mechanisms, and identifies opportunities for improvement. Findings from the annual assessment are used to update risk priorities and to refine supplier engagement strategies. We commit to continuous improvement, learning from incidents and aligning with best practice to safeguard workers across all Thamesmead gardening operations.