Modern Slavery Statement 2024
The Service supports the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 which consolidates slavery and trafficking offences, introduces tougher penalties and sentencing rules, and provides more support for victims.
Introduction
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. All forms have in common the deprivation of a person's liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. To tackle these crimes, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 was introduced.
This modern slavery statement sets out our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms in all our activities including any of our supply chains. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service (The Service) has implemented systems and controls to do all it can to ensure modern slavery is not taking place in the service or through our supply chains. The Service will ensure our staff are sufficiently trained to identify modern slavery risks when undertaking both procurement and front-line services. We will educate our staff to spot signals of possible modern slavery as they perform their roles and work within our partners and communities, and we will support employees with any referral processes.
The Service will support job applicants with fair recruitment, pay, conditions and practices and our own employees with procurement, safeguarding and equality, diversity, and inclusion training and policies.