This statement is published pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the Educate Ventures Research Ltd. (EVR) Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. It sets out the steps taken to ensure that modern slavery is not present in our business and its supply chains.

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EVR is committed to ensuring modern slavery does not exist in its supply chains. We constantly strive to develop policy and procedures to manage the way we obtain our goods and services to keep our supply chains robust. 

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For the purposes of this statement, the term ‘modern slavery’ encapsulates slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking.  The policy is reviewed annually.

 

Our Business, Structure and Supply Chains

We issue all suppliers and subcontractors with contracts referencing the Modern Slavery UK governmental documentation and the requirements we expect them to meet on modern slavery. We also reference environmental sustainability and ethical credentials and that of their supply chain and manufacturing facilities, if applicable. The response to these contracts and standards helps identifies any supplier or subcontractor who falls short of meeting the requirements.  We are aware of the duty to notify should we suspect any use of modern slavery in supply or subcontracting and will do so.

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We remain focussed on assessing our high risk spend areas and on raising awareness across all staff, to ensure all products and services are sourced and supplied responsibly and ethically.

 

Our Policies on Modern Slavery

We will not tolerate modern slavery in our supply chains or in any part of our business. We are committed to ensuring that there is transparency in our own business and to tackling any modern slavery in our supply chains. We expect the same standards from our suppliers and contractors. A code of Ethics/Values as part of the Employee/Operational Handbook is issued to all staff, reflecting our commitment to ethical business practice.

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Due diligence and steps taken to eliminate risks

We have rigorous employment policies and practices which have been designed to limit the risks of modern day slavery within our supply chain. Our procurement process requires suppliers/subcontractors to provide information on modern slavery risks if applicable.

 

EVR has a clear framework of rules and behaviours and encourages the reporting of any concerns or breaches so that they can be dealt with appropriately in accordance with our policies and procedures. We provide a whistleblowing avenue for staff (and interns working with the company) to raise concerns confidentially and anonymously if they wish.  This is done through line management and/or senior management, with the choice available to the staff member.

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Our Employee/Operational Handbook also provides staff with a secure way of seeking advice about any modern slavery or human trafficking issues personally affecting them or their families.

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We also check that staff can demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK and require all contractors and agency staff to undergo an eligibility check before commencing work with us. We also seek confirmation from interns that they have eligibility to work in the UK if they wish to work here physically.  This does not apply to remote work. 

 

Training

Employees are trained on an ongoing basis on topics relating to ethics and compliance as well as many others in monthly 'Everybody Learning All of the Time' Sessions. We will continue to identify ways to improve employee and supplier awareness to eliminate modern slavery from our business and supply chain, and will continue to keep abreast of information on global risks in modern slavery.

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Our Effectiveness in Eliminating Modern Slavery

We will periodically review the effectiveness of these measures above, and we will use this review to inform the ongoing development of our procedures and best practices.  This is currently done annually in October of each year.