Modern Slavery Statement — Garden Maintenance Chigwell

Garden Maintenance Chigwell is committed to a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. Our policy applies across all services, from routine garden maintenance to bespoke landscape projects. This statement sets out how we seek to prevent forced labour, servitude, and exploitation in our workforce and in our supply chain for all Chigwell garden maintenance activities.

We require every member of staff and our contractors to understand the risks and to act immediately if they suspect any form of exploitation. Our expectations are clear: anyone providing gardening services in Chigwell or supporting roles must comply with employment law, be paid fairly, and be able to work voluntarily. Training and awareness are ongoing to ensure these standards are embedded.

This document describes the commitments we make, including supplier audits, reporting channels, and an annual review process. As a provider of local Garden upkeep and Chigwell garden maintenance, we recognise our responsibility to set a high standard and to take concrete actions to mitigate modern slavery risks.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

We operate a zero-tolerance policy against modern slavery in every form. Any proven instance of forced labour, retention of identity documents, or coercion will result in immediate termination of employment or contract and referral to appropriate authorities. We will not tolerate exploitation in any arm of our gardening services in Chigwell.

All employees and subcontractors are required to provide proof of right to work and to declare any recruitment fees or unusual employment arrangements. Managers are trained to spot signs of coercion or vulnerability and will escalate concerns in line with our internal welfare procedures. We encourage the use of ethical recruitment channels for all garden maintenance roles.

To reinforce accountability, we maintain a clear set of controls and expectations for the entire supply chain. Key measures include:

• Pre-engagement checks on labour suppliers and sub-contractors
• Contract clauses requiring compliance with anti-slavery laws
• Regular staff training on recognising and reporting abuse

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

Our supply chain due diligence includes risk assessments and supplier audits focused on labour practices. We prioritise suppliers for audit who provide labour-intensive services for garden upkeep in Chigwell or who operate in higher-risk regions. Audits include site visits, documentation checks, and worker interviews to verify employment terms and living conditions.

Suppliers found non-compliant are required to implement corrective action plans within defined timescales. Persistent or serious breaches lead to contract termination. We also provide guidance to help smaller suppliers meet standards, recognising that collaboration often achieves better outcomes than immediate severance.

Reporting channels are safe, confidential, and accessible. Employees, subcontractors, and members of the public can report concerns through anonymous internal reporting mechanisms or via designated welfare officers. All reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly, with appropriate support offered to affected individuals.

Whistleblowing and Reporting — We promote a culture where raising concerns is supported and protected. Retaliation against anyone who reports suspected slavery is strictly prohibited. Reports trigger an investigation and, where necessary, engagement with law enforcement and specialist support organisations to protect victims.

Our procedure ensures the confidentiality of the reporter and the subject, while enabling necessary information sharing with authorities. We also maintain records of investigations and outcomes to inform continuous improvement of our processes for delivering ethical gardening and grounds maintenance in Chigwell.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement — We conduct an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and our associated policies. The review assesses the effectiveness of our actions, audits, training, and reporting channels and identifies enhancements to our approach to preventing exploitation across all garden services.

As part of the annual cycle, we update risk assessments, prioritise supplier re-audits, and refresh staff training materials. These reviews are documented and signed off by senior management to ensure responsibility and transparency in our Chigwell garden maintenance operations.

We remain committed to strengthening protections for vulnerable workers and to collaborating with partners to eradicate modern slavery from our sector. Our pledge is to maintain rigorous standards across all gardening services in Chigwell and the surrounding area.

Garden Maintenance Chigwell will publish updates to this statement following each review and will continue to evolve measures to identify, prevent, and respond to any indicators of modern slavery.