Modern Slavery Statement for Balham Carpet Cleaners

Balham Carpet Cleaners is firmly committed to preventing modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and all forms of exploitation in our operations and supply chains. This Modern Slavery Statement explains the steps we take to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery risks in connection with our cleaning services, workforce, and suppliers.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

We operate a clear zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. We do not accept any form of forced, bonded, or involuntary labour, and we will not knowingly work with any organisation that fails to uphold the same standards. This commitment applies to all aspects of our business, including recruitment, training, purchasing, and service delivery.

All employees, contractors, and suppliers are expected to act with integrity and to uphold our standards of ethical conduct. Any breach of this policy is treated as a serious matter and may result in disciplinary action, contract termination, or referral to law enforcement where appropriate.

Our Business and Supply Chain

Balham Carpet Cleaners provides professional carpet, upholstery, and related cleaning services. Our supply chain primarily includes providers of cleaning machinery, chemicals and solutions, protective equipment, uniforms, and general business services. We recognise that some sectors and regions may present higher risks of modern slavery, and we seek to manage these risks through careful supplier selection, clear expectations, and ongoing monitoring.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We expect all suppliers and subcontractors to share our commitment to preventing modern slavery. As part of our procurement and supplier management processes, we:

Communicate our zero-tolerance policy to existing and prospective suppliers and require them to comply with all relevant labour and human rights laws.

Assess suppliers for indicators of modern slavery risk, including their location, sector, use of temporary labour, and transparency of their own supply chains.

Reserve the right to conduct audits or request evidence of compliance, such as labour policies, training records, or ethical sourcing information.

Take appropriate action where concerns arise, which may include remediation plans, increased monitoring, suspension of orders, or termination of the business relationship if issues are not addressed.

Workforce Recruitment and Training

We are committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Workers are engaged on lawful terms, with clear information about pay, hours, and conditions. We do not charge recruitment fees, and we respect the right of all workers to leave employment with appropriate notice. Identification documents are never withheld, and employees are free from intimidation or coercion.

We provide training and guidance to relevant staff on recognising signs of modern slavery and understanding their responsibilities. Managers are briefed on how to respond to concerns and the importance of ethical conduct throughout our operations.

Reporting Channels and Escalation

We encourage employees, contractors, suppliers, and any other stakeholders to raise concerns about potential modern slavery, unethical practices, or human rights abuses connected to our business or supply chain. Concerns may be raised in writing or in person to a manager or senior representative, or through any internal reporting process we operate.

Reports are treated seriously, handled sensitively, and, where possible, confidentially. We do not tolerate victimisation or retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith. All credible reports are investigated, and, where necessary, we will cooperate with relevant authorities and take remedial steps to protect affected individuals.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

We recognise that addressing modern slavery is an ongoing responsibility and that risks may change over time. We are committed to continual improvement of our policies and practices. Each year, we review this Modern Slavery Statement and our wider approach, taking into account any incidents, audit findings, legal developments, guidance from recognised bodies, and feedback from staff and suppliers.

This Statement is approved by the management of Balham Carpet Cleaners and will be updated at least annually to reflect our progress and any enhancements to our approach in preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains.