Last updated: 30th March 2023

Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

 

Introduction

This statement sets out The Right Mortgage & Protection Networks actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps to prevent slavery and human trafficking in the business and its supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities.

As part of the Financial Services sector, the organisation recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. The organisation is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Organisational structure and supply chains

This statement covers the activities of The Right Mortgage & Protection Network:

  • The Right Mortgage & Protection Network is a completely independent Network for mortgage and protection brokers, with firms based across the UK. The nature of the Group’s supply chain is that of general business suppliers as well as financial services providers such as mortgage lenders and insurance providers;
  • We operate in and all of our supply chain is confined to the United Kingdom.

Responsibility for the organisation’s anti-slavery initiatives is as follows:

Policies: We have an internal policy in place for our staff to understand the importance of preventing modern slavery and human trafficking and how to recognise signs of exploitation. In addition, all of our staff are advised to read through the Home Office’s modern slavery guide.

Investigations/due diligence: Any known, or suspected, instances of slavery or human trafficking are investigated through our Risk & HR functions.

Training: To ensure our staff understand and respond to potential slavery and human trafficking risks, our employees are given internal training on an annual basis.

Relevant policies

The below policies are in place to allow staff to report suspected modern slavery and human trafficking. As we try and assist with tackling the issue;

  • Whistleblowing policy: The organisation encourages all its employees, clients and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. The organisation’s whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. Employees, clients or others who have concerns can raise their concerns with their line manager in the first instance. If this channel is not appropriate for any reason then disclosures should be made to either Human Resources or the Operations Director.
  • Employee Handbook:The organisation’s employee handbook makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
  • Supplier code of conduct: The organisation is committed to ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Suppliers are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. The organisation works with suppliers to ensure that they meet the standards of the code and improve their worker’s working conditions. However, serious violations of the organisation’s supplier code of conduct will lead to the termination of the business relationship.

Training

The organisation requires all staff within the organisation to complete training on modern slavery. The organisation will provide internal training sessions for employees annually.

The organisations modern slavery training covers:

  • The Modern Slavery Act 2015;
  • Who is at risk of modern slavery;
  • Where the risk is in our business;
  • Who is responsible for preventing modern slavery in our business and supply chains;
  • Potential signs of modern slavery;
  • What you should do is you suspect modern slavery.

Awareness-raising programme

As well as training staff, the organisation has raised awareness of modern slavery issues by distributing flyers to staff and putting up posters across the organisation’s premises.

The flyers and posters explain to staff:

  • The basic principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
  • How employers can identify and prevent slavery and human trafficking;
  • What employees can do to flag up potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the organisation;
  • What external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline.