Modern Slavery Statement for Garden Maintenance Services

Our commitment to preventing modern slavery in the garden maintenance sector is absolute. This statement outlines the policies and actions our organisation takes to identify, prevent and respond to any form of forced labour, human trafficking or exploitation across all aspects of our garden-maintenance operations. We apply a zero-tolerance policy to modern slavery and expect the same standards from contractors, subcontractors and suppliers involved in gardening maintenance and landscape maintenance work.

Scope and definitions: This policy covers all employees, contractors and temporary workers engaged in groundskeeping, garden care and garden upkeep activities. Modern slavery includes slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. We interpret our responsibilities broadly across procurement, site management, service delivery and ongoing supplier relationships.

Zero-tolerance policy and governance

We maintain a clear and enforceable stance: any confirmed instance of exploitation in our grounds maintenance or gardening maintenance supply chain will result in immediate action, which may include termination of contracts, legal referral and remediation for affected individuals. Our board and senior management review compliance regularly and are accountable for ensuring policy execution at every level.

Due diligence and supplier audits

We perform robust due diligence before onboarding suppliers and periodically thereafter. Supplier selection for landscape maintenance requires documented evidence of labour standards, right-to-work checks and transparent subcontracting arrangements. We use a combination of self-declarations, third-party checks and documented audits to reduce risk.

Supplier audits are central to our approach. Audits include site visits, records inspection, worker interviews and verification of pay, hours and conditions against contracted terms. Audit findings trigger corrective action plans, and persistent non-compliance leads to contract termination. Our audit schedule is risk-based, prioritising higher-risk regions and services such as manual groundskeeping and temporary seasonal labour.

Key supplier audit elements include:

• Verification of worker identity and recruitment channels
• Inspection of payroll, contracts and working hours
• Assessment of subcontractor management and labour-sourcing practices
• Remediation steps where concerns are identified

Training and awareness form part of our preventive measures. All staff involved in procurement, contract management and site supervision receive regular training in recognising signs of exploitation within garden care and landscape maintenance activities. We encourage a culture where concerns are raised early and escalated appropriately.

Reporting channels are available for employees, workers and third parties to raise concerns anonymously or directly. We maintain confidential reporting mechanisms and a clear process for investigating allegations. Reports are handled sensitively, promptly and in accordance with legal obligations; protection from retaliation is guaranteed for those who report in good faith.

Remediation and victim support are core outcomes when exploitation is identified. Our response seeks to prioritise safety and recovery for affected individuals, including access to appropriate support services, cooperation with enforcement agencies and steps to prevent reoccurrence. Contractual clauses require suppliers to co-operate in remediation and to implement corrective measures.

Record keeping and transparency underpin our approach. We maintain documentation of due diligence, audit results, corrective actions and outcomes related to garden maintenance contracts. These records support continuous improvement and provide evidence of compliance with our policies and legal responsibilities.

Annual review and continuous improvement

We commit to an annual review of this modern slavery statement and associated processes. The review evaluates the effectiveness of supplier audits, training, reporting channels and remediation outcomes across the full range of gardening maintenance and groundskeeping services. Findings inform updates to policy, risk assessment and resource allocation.

Final assurance: We affirm our unwavering commitment to preventing modern slavery in all forms across our garden maintenance and landscape maintenance activities. Through clear governance, active supplier audits, robust reporting channels and an annual review cycle, we strive to ensure that every contract and every site operates free from exploitation. Zero tolerance is not just a phrase; it is the foundation of our operational decisions and contractual relationships.