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VOLUNTARY MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT 2026/27

1. Our Commitment

  • Deaf Village Group is committed to conducting its activities ethically, transparently and with integrity. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, human trafficking, forced or compulsory labour, servitude and exploitation.

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  • Although Deaf Village Group does not meet the £36 million turnover threshold requiring the publication of an annual statement under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, we have chosen to publish this voluntary statement to demonstrate our commitment to protecting the people we support, our employees and those working within our supply chains.

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2. About Deaf Village Group

  • Deaf Village Group is a specialist provider supporting Deaf, deafblind and hard-of-hearing children and adults, including people with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, mental-health needs and additional communication requirements.

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  • Our services include supported living, community support, education, training, wellbeing activities, communication support and British Sign Language provision.

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  • We recognise that people who have disabilities, communication barriers, limited access to information or dependence upon others for support may be at increased risk of abuse, coercion and exploitation. We therefore consider the prevention and identification of modern slavery to be an important part of our safeguarding responsibilities.

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3. Our Workforce

We are committed to fair, safe and lawful employment practices. Our recruitment and employment procedures include, where applicable:

  • confirming the identity of applicants;

  • completing right-to-work checks;

  • obtaining references and employment histories;

  • undertaking Disclosure and Barring Service checks;

  • providing written terms and conditions of employment;

  • paying employees directly into an account held in their own name;

  • complying with National Minimum Wage and employment legislation;

  • ensuring employees are not required to pay recruitment fees;

  • monitoring working hours, pay and employment arrangements;

  • providing employees with access to supervision, HR support, safeguarding procedures and whistleblowing arrangements; and

  • ensuring employees are free to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

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We will investigate concerns where an employee appears to be controlled by another person, has their identity documents withheld, is unable to access their own wages, is subject to unexplained deductions or debt, appears frightened or withdrawn, or shows other possible indicators of exploitation.

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Where agency workers or subcontractors are used, we expect the relevant agency or organisation to demonstrate lawful and ethical recruitment and employment practices.

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4. Protecting the People we Support

Modern slavery may affect the people who access our services as well as members of the workforce. Staff are expected to remain alert to possible signs of exploitation, including:

  • unexplained control over a person’s money, identification or communication;

  • another person speaking on their behalf or preventing them from communicating privately;

  • signs of fear, intimidation, coercion, neglect or physical harm;

  • being forced to work, provide services, commit offences or hand over benefits or wages;

  • restrictions on a person’s movement or contact with others;

  • unexplained changes in behaviour, presentation or relationships;

  • poor living conditions or overcrowding; and

  • concerns that a person does not understand or has not freely agreed to an arrangement.

 

Any concern involving a person we support will be managed in line with our safeguarding procedures and reported to the appropriate statutory agencies where required.

 

5. Accessible Communication

As a specialist Deaf organisation, we recognise that communication barriers can prevent people from understanding their rights, recognising exploitation or reporting concerns.

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We are committed to ensuring that information and reporting routes are accessible. Depending on individual need, this may include British Sign Language, communication support, visual information, Easy Read materials, advocacy or other reasonable adjustments.

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A Deaf person will not be expected to rely upon an alleged perpetrator, family member or other involved individual to interpret or communicate a safeguarding concern on their behalf.

 

6. Suppliers and Contractors

Our supply chains primarily include providers of staffing, training, professional services, utilities, technology, equipment, property maintenance, transport and other goods and services required to operate our organisation.

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We expect suppliers, contractors, partner organisations and employment agencies to:

  • comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relevant employment legislation;

  • treat workers fairly and with dignity;

  • provide safe working conditions;

  • maintain appropriate recruitment and employment practices;

  • avoid the use of forced, trafficked or child labour; and

  • report any identified or suspected modern slavery concerns.

 

We will not knowingly enter into or continue a working relationship with an organisation involved in modern slavery or human trafficking. Where concerns are identified, we will seek further information, take proportionate action and, where necessary, suspend or end the relationship and notify the relevant authorities.

 

7. Staff Awareness and Training

Modern slavery is addressed through our safeguarding arrangements and staff training. Employees are expected to understand:

  • the main forms and indicators of modern slavery;

  • the increased vulnerability of some people who access care and support services;

  • how communication barriers may conceal abuse or exploitation;

  • how to record and report concerns;

  • the importance of not confronting a suspected perpetrator where this may increase risk; and

  • how to escalate concerns through safeguarding, management and whistleblowing procedures.

 

8. Reporting Concerns

Employees, people who use our services, relatives, advocates, contractors and members of the public are encouraged to report any concern about suspected modern slavery or exploitation.

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Concerns may be reported to a line manager, the Designated Safeguarding Lead, a member of the Operational Management Team or through the organisation’s whistleblowing procedure.

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Where there is an immediate risk of harm, the police should be contacted by calling 999. Non-emergency concerns may also be reported to the police on 101, the relevant local-authority safeguarding team or the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700.

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All concerns will be treated seriously, recorded appropriately and handled as confidentially as possible. No employee will suffer detrimental treatment for raising a genuine concern in good faith.

 

9. Responsibility and Monitoring

Overall responsibility for this statement rests with the senior leadership of Deaf Village Group. Managers are responsible for promoting awareness, responding to concerns and ensuring relevant procedures are followed within their areas of responsibility.

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We will review our recruitment arrangements, safeguarding practices, staff awareness and supplier relationships to identify and reduce potential risks. Any concerns, incidents or lessons learned will inform future training and improvements.

 

 10. Approval and Review

This voluntary statement has been approved by the senior leadership of Deaf Village Group and will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to legislation, guidance, organisational activity or identified risk.

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