Docklands Carpet Cleaners Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement is made by Docklands Carpet Cleaners in respect of our financial year and sets out the steps we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chains. As a provider of carpet and upholstery cleaning services, we recognise our responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards and to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals who contribute to our services.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Docklands Carpet Cleaners maintains a strict zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, child labour, and any form of exploitation. We are committed to conducting all aspects of our business in a manner that respects human rights and complies with all relevant legislation. This commitment applies to our direct employees, agency workers, contractors, and all parties within our supply chain.

We expect everyone working with or on behalf of Docklands Carpet Cleaners to share this commitment. Any evidence or suspicion of modern slavery connected with our business will be treated as a serious violation of our standards and will result in immediate investigation and, where appropriate, termination of the relationship.

Our Business and Supply Chains

Docklands Carpet Cleaners operates as a specialist cleaning service, serving residential, commercial, and managed properties. Our supply chains include suppliers of cleaning products and machinery, equipment maintenance providers, uniform and consumables suppliers, and certain outsourced administrative and support services.

We recognise that the risk of modern slavery may be higher where goods and services are sourced from complex or multi-tiered supply chains. We therefore place particular focus on suppliers involved in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and labour provision.

Supplier Standards and Audit Process

We require our key suppliers and contractors to operate in accordance with all applicable labour, health and safety, and human rights laws. As part of our supplier management process, we seek assurances that they do not tolerate modern slavery in their own operations or their supply chains.

Where appropriate, we conduct supplier audits or request evidence of their own modern slavery and ethical trading policies. These audits may include reviewing employment practices, verification of workers' identities and right to work, and confirmation that workers are not charged recruitment fees or subjected to coercion. We prioritise audits for higher-risk categories of goods and services and may conduct follow-up checks where concerns are identified.

If a supplier fails to meet our standards, or is unwilling to improve practices within an agreed timeframe, we reserve the right to suspend or terminate the business relationship.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Docklands Carpet Cleaners encourages all employees, contractors, and suppliers to report any concerns or suspicions regarding modern slavery or unethical labour practices. Concerns can be raised directly with line managers, senior management, or via internal reporting channels made available to staff.

Reports can be made confidentially and will be handled sensitively and, where possible, anonymously. We do not tolerate any form of retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith, whether those concerns prove to be founded or not. All allegations will be investigated promptly, and appropriate action will be taken if any breach is identified.

Training and Awareness

We are committed to building awareness of modern slavery risks among our workforce. Relevant staff receive guidance on identifying potential signs of exploitation, such as unusual working patterns, signs of coercion or control, and workers who appear fearful or unable to speak freely. We aim to ensure that managers, supervisors, and staff involved in procurement, recruitment, and supplier management understand their responsibilities in preventing modern slavery.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This Modern Slavery Statement will be reviewed annually by the management team at Docklands Carpet Cleaners. The review will consider any reported incidents, audit findings, changes in legislation, and developments in best practice. Where necessary, we will update our policies, procedures, and training to strengthen our controls and further reduce the risk of modern slavery in our operations and supply chains.

We are committed to continuous improvement and to working collaboratively with employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to uphold human rights and protect the most vulnerable from exploitation. This statement has been approved by the leadership of Docklands Carpet Cleaners and reflects our ongoing commitment to combatting modern slavery in all its forms.