Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

This statement comprises the slavery and human trafficking statement of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.

HSSIB has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in the HSSIB or in any of its supply chains.

Organisational structure

We complete multiple investigations each year. They are carried out by a team of skilled investigators. Our investigators bring experience from safety critical industries and other professions including healthcare, military, aviation, law and human factors. We share learning in our investigation reports and make safety recommendations, safety observations and suggest local learning across the healthcare system.

Patient safety investigations

Our investigations aim to reduce patient harm by:

• Supporting the involvement of patients, families and carers in healthcare.
• Supporting healthcare staff to carry out their roles and care for patients safely.
• Creating safer healthcare environments and processes.
• Making healthcare services more efficient.
• Sharing best practice and innovations in patient care.

Our patient safety investigations look at concerns across the NHS in England and in independent healthcare settings where safety learning could also help to improve NHS care. We can also be directed to investigate a patient safety concern by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

We listen to people to understand patient safety concerns and experiences. These patient safety insights help us to decide what we investigate.

We do this in several ways:

• Direct contact with patients and families.
• Direct contact with NHS and healthcare staff.
• Access to patient safety incident reporting systems.
• Regular contact with national organisations.
• Regular contact with organisations that represent patients.

Procurement and supply chains

Our procurement activities include a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) which includes a mandatory exclusion question regarding the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Any suppliers who declare that they do not comply with the legislation will be excluded or disqualified from the procurement process. Additionally, when procuring goods and services, we apply NHS Terms and Conditions which requires suppliers to comply with legislation.

Recruitment

The organisation takes a robust approach in recruiting both its corporate and flexible workforce. We communicate directly with all candidates to discuss any work opportunities and to confirm details of any offer made. We have rigorous procedures in place for the vetting of new employees and workers and ensure that we are able to confirm their identity, their right to work in the United Kingdom and that they are paid above the National Living Wage directly into a personal bank account.

All employees and workers are required to meet with someone from the organisation in person and provide us with their original Right to Work in the United Kingdom documentation for certification and verification. For any employee or worker with a work permit or visa, we carry out regular audits and management of these documents to ensure they remain valid. All new corporate starters are required to complete an induction which includes information and training on the company policies.

When using employment agencies, we only use specific reputable companies to source workers and always verify their practices in the first instance.

Relevant policies

Raising a Matter of Concern Policy

We encourage all our employees and workers to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of the organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking.

The Raising a Matter of Concern Policy is designed to make it easy for employees and workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. The policy encourages people to raise concerns directly with their line manager, if this is possible. Alternatively, other internal routes are available, such as contacting the HR team, as well as the senior leadership team, non-executive directors on the HSSIB Board and our Speaking Up Champion. The policy also contains contact details of external organisations should an employee wish to seek independent advice on a concern that they may have.

In addition, the Guidance and Support for Speaking Up, Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing document, the in-house Equality Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and the Freedom To Speak Up champions scheme give platforms for employees to highlight and raise concerns regarding poor working practices.

Modern Slavery Policy

The organisation recognises potential links between bribery and corruption and modern slavery. The organisation has a robust Bribery and Fraud Policy which is communicated to its employees and associated persons (for example consultants and agency staff).

Standards of Business Conduct Policy

The HSSIB specifies the behaviour and actions required of employees when representing our organisation. We strive to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating in the UK and abroad in managing its supply chain.