Counselling PracticE

The Hill Counselling Practice Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

As a counselling and psychotherapy service which provides psychological interventions and treatments to individuals and organisations across East Lancashire, we have zero tolerance regarding all aspects of modern slavery and human trafficking practices. We welcome the opportunity to affirm our commitment to tackling modern slavery throughout our organisation and supply chains.

Organisational Structure:

1. The organisational structure of The Hill Counselling Practice comprises The Hill Therapy Holdings and The Hill Counselling Practice CIC.
2. The Hill Counselling Practice is controlled by a Board of Directors. The practice premises and Head Office are in Padiham, Lancashire.
3. The Hill Counselling Practice is predominately involved in the provision of psychological services to individuals and other businesses. Delivery of services are in-person, online via videocall platforms.

Definitions:

The Hill Counselling Practice considers that modern slavery encompasses:

• Human trafficking;
• Forced work, through mental or physical threat;
• Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse;
• Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property;
• Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.

Commitment:

The Hill Counselling Practice acknowledges its responsibilities under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and is committed to preventing and/or tackling modern slavery throughout our organisation and supply chains. The Hill Counselling Practice understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its associates and its supply chains.

The Hill Counselling Practice has a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery. It will refrain from entering into business, and/or will discontinue any current business with any other organisation which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. No labour provided to The Hill Counselling Practice in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking.

Potential Exposure:

The Hill Counselling Practice considers its exposure to modern slavery to be limited. Nonetheless, it has taken steps to ensure that such practices do not take place in its business nor the business of any organisation that supplies goods and/or services to it.

Steps:

1. The Hill Counselling Practice has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with slavery and/or human trafficking.
2. In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act), The Hill Counselling Practice has contacted (or attempted to contact) all first tier suppliers to set out our zero tolerance stance on modern slavery and to ensure that slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place.
3. The Hill Counselling Practice has taken action to monitor reports of modern slavery and cross references such reports with our first tier supply chain. The Hill Counselling Practice will seek to discontinue business with any first tier supplier found by the enforcement authorities to be involved in modern slavery.

Training:

Upon commencement of delivering services on behalf of The Hill Counselling Practice, all associates are made aware of The Hill Counselling Practices policies relating to standards of behaviour that it requires from them.

Assessment of Effectiveness:

To ensure effectiveness in combatting modern slavery, The Hill Counselling Practice maintains an accurate supplier list including contact details. It will ensure action is taken in response to reports of modern slavery in its supply chains

Director – Operations:

Any concerns regarding modern slavery should be addressed to Director - Operations.

Review:

This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and applies to all companies within and associated to The Hill Counselling Practice. It is reviewed for each financial year.

This statement relates to the 2022/2023 financial year and was approved by:

• Zoe McPherson, Director – Clinical
• John Dawson, Director – Finance

13/03/2023