GPN Annual Statement 2025/26
Introduction
Greater Peterborough Network (GPN) have a zero-tolerance stance against human trafficking and modern and have prepared this Statement in accordance with S54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2025 and outlines actions GPN has taken and will continue to take, to ensure our business and supply chain are operating without instances of human trafficking or modern slavery.
Modern Slavery encompasses domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation, and sexual exploitation and GPN have in place, efficient procedures and controls to prevent acts of modern slavery and to ensure all operations, including our supply chain, are carried out ethically and with integrity and transparency.
Aims of the statement
The aim of this statement is to demonstrate that GPN follows good practice, and all reasonable steps are taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking.
All members of staff have a personal responsibility for the successful prevention of slavery and human trafficking, with the Senior Management Team taking lead responsibility for compliance in the supply chain.
About the organisation
Greater Peterborough Network is a provider of primary care health, mental health, physical health, intellectual disability and community healthcare services for the people of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and Fenland.
Our staff carry out a wide range of roles, working together to provide integrated and coordinated care and support to those using our services. Some of our patient-facing staff include the following:
- General Practitioners
- Advance Practitioners both Nursing and Paramedics
- Nurses
- Healthcare Support Workers
- Personalised Care Staff
Our stance on slavery and human trafficking
GPN is aware of and is committed to its duty under the Equality Act 2010 towards patients, service users, employees and the local community and expects all suppliers to adhere to the same ethical principles.
GPN is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our internal policies replicate our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.
GPN recognises that healthcare settings may become a target for modern slavers hoping to monopolise on ongoing staffing challenges.
We operate several internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include the following:
Recruitment policy: We operate a robust recruitment policy which incorporates equal opportunities, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all directly employed staff.
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy: We have a range of controls to protect staff from poor treatment and/or exploitation which comply with all respective laws and regulations. These include provision of fair pay rates, fair terms and conditions of employment, and access to training and development opportunities.
Adult and Children Safeguarding Policies: We adhere to the principles inherent within both our Safeguarding Children and Adults policies. These provide clear guidance so that our employees are aware as to how to raise safeguarding concerns about how colleagues or people receiving our services are being treated, or about practices within our business or supply chain.
Whistleblowing Policy (supported by Freedom To Speak Up policy): We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues or people receiving our services are being treated, or about practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals. We also have a Freedom to Speak Up Champions to support these policies.
Bullying and Harassment Policy: This policy explains the manner in which we behave as an organisation and how we expect our employees and suppliers to act.
Working with suppliers
In compliance with the consolidation of offences relating to trafficking and slavery within the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Senior Management Team continuously reviews its supply chains with a view to confirming that such actions are not taking place.
All existing suppliers are sourced in compliance with the Act. In addition, GPN ensures that due diligence is undertaken for all new and ongoing suppliers of goods and services to the organisation and their associated supply chains and that they comply with all relevant Law and Guidance and shall use Good Industry Practice to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its supply chains.
Training
Advice and training about Modern Slavery and human trafficking is available to staff through our policies and our mandatory training programme which includes, Freedom To Speak Up, Whistleblowing, Equality and Diversity, Preventing Radicalisation and safeguarding children and adults training programmes,
Awareness is also raised through information sharing via our internal forums, staff briefings and newsletters.
Our performance indicators
We will know the effectiveness of the steps that we are taking to ensure that slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain if:
- No reports are received from our staff, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.
- Regular audit of our recruitment processes and suppliers