Modern Slavery Statement
Introduction
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 was introduced to help eradicate slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in the operations and supply chains of companies. Modern slavery is a heinous crime and a morally reprehensible act that deprives a person’s liberty and dignity for another person’s gain. It is a real problem for millions of people around the world, including many in developed countries, who are being kept and exploited in various forms of slavery. Every company is at risk of being involved in this crime through its own operations and its supply chain.
Our Commitment
At Silicon Practice we have a zero tolerance approach to modern slavery and are fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain. This statement outlines the steps we have taken to understand the risk related to our business and the actions we take to prevent and mitigate those risks.
Our Business
Schappit Ltd (trading as Silicon Practice) is a company registered in England and Wales No 09084187. Our registered office address is Unit 2, 79-93 Ratcliffe Road, Sileby, Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, LE12 7PU . We directly employ more than 26 staff within the UK. All Schappit Ltd staff work under terms and conditions that are in accordance with UK employment law.
Silicon Practice delivers a digital first approach to the way patients access services from their GP Practice. We provide products aimed at improving patient access to healthcare services and helping practices manage demand more efficiently.
Risk Assessment and Supply Chain
We have conducted a risk assessment of our business and supply chain taking into account:
- The risk profile of individual countries based on the Global Slavery Index
- The business services rendered by our suppliers
- The presence of vulnerable demographic groups
- The insights provided by human rights groups
The suppliers we use to deliver our activities and our own operations are primarily based in the UK. We contract with a small range of suppliers of various sizes.
As part of our approach to maintaining a supply chain that is free of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking, we request all commercial organisations forming part of our supply chain to provide a copy or link to their anti-slavery statement.
Where such a statement does not exist (for example, where the company does not meet the act’s criteria for a statement to be produced), we require a statement from the company confirming that it is committed to and acts according to the moral principles of the act.
Policies
Silicon Practice has a number of policies in place that assist with preventing and identifying human trafficking and slavery in our operations:
- Whistle-blowing policy – we encourage all employees, customers and suppliers to report any suspicion of slavery or human trafficking without fear of retaliation.
- Employee Handbook – our handbook encourages employees to do the right thing by clearly stating the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the business. We strive to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour.
Awareness
Silicon Practice has raised awareness of modern slavery issues by communicating with staff internally on modern slavery and outlining:
- Our commitment in the fight against modern slavery
- Red flags for potential cases of modern slavery and human trafficking
- How employees should report suspicions of modern slavery
Measuring our Performance
Silicon Practice has defined some key performance indicators and controls to combat modern slavery and human trafficking in our organisation and supply chain. These include:
- How many awareness updates has the company provided to staff in the last year?
- How many employees have completed mandatory training?
- How many suppliers have provided us with a modern slavery and human trafficking statement or declaration?
- How many reports have been made by our employees that indicate awareness of and sensitivity to ethical issues?
Future Plans
In the next financial year we commit to all employees:
All employees completing mandatory training, which covers
- Various forms of modern slavery in which people can be held and exploited
- The size of the problem and the risk to our organisation
- How employees can identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking, including unrealistically low prices
- How employees should respond if they suspect slavery or human trafficking
- What external help is available for the victims of slavery
- What terms and guidance should be provided to suppliers in relation to slavery policies and controls
- What steps Silicon Practice will take if a supplier fails to implement anti-slavery policies or controls
- An attestation from employees that they will abide by Silicon Practice’s modern slavery policy
Create an approved supplier list
Create a detailed procedure to manage current suppliers and on-board new suppliers
Continue to raise awareness of modern slavery through regular staff training
Declaration
This statement has been approved by the Schappit Ltd Senior Leadership Team.