Modern Slavery Statement 2026

Financial Year Ending 31 March 2026

Introduction

Affinity Trust is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our activities and relationships. We recognise that modern slavery, exploitation, forced labour and human trafficking are serious violations of human rights and that organisations have a responsibility to identify and address the risk of such practices occurring within their operations and supply chains.

As a provider of social care and support services, we are committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of all people connected with our organisation, including the people we support, our colleagues, volunteers, contractors and suppliers.

This statement is published in accordance with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps taken by Affinity Trust during the financial year ending 31 March 2026 to minimise the risk of modern slavery within our organisation and supply chains.

Our Organisation

Affinity Trust is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people across England and Scotland. We provide a range of support services, including supported living, outreach and residential care, enabling people to live fulfilling and independent lives.

We employ approximately 2,000 colleagues and work with a broad range of suppliers and service providers, including those supplying agency workers, facilities management services, information technology, professional services, recruitment services, utilities, office equipment and consumables.

Our Approach

Affinity Trust has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. We expect all colleagues, suppliers and business partners to operate in a lawful, ethical and responsible manner and to uphold human rights in their own operations.
We recognise that the risk of modern slavery cannot be eliminated entirely and that ongoing vigilance is required. We therefore seek to identify, assess and manage risks where they arise.

Policies and Controls

Several of our existing policies and procedures support our approach to preventing modern slavery, including:
Recruitment and Employment Practices
We operate recruitment processes designed to ensure that all colleagues are employed lawfully and voluntarily. Appropriate right-to-work checks are undertaken and employment policies are designed to promote fair treatment and equal opportunity.

Whistleblowing
We encourage colleagues and others connected with Affinity Trust to raise concerns about wrongdoing, unethical conduct or safeguarding issues through our whistleblowing channels. Concerns can be raised confidentially and are investigated appropriately.

Safeguarding
Our safeguarding arrangements help ensure that potential indicators of exploitation, abuse or coercion affecting the people we support are identified and responded to appropriately.

Procurement and Supplier Management
We seek to work with reputable suppliers and, where proportionate, consider ethical, legal and compliance matters as part of our supplier selection and contract management processes.

Risk Assessment
Affinity Trust's activities are delivered within the United Kingdom, which is generally considered a lower-risk geography for modern slavery. However, we recognise that risks can exist in all sectors and supply chains.

Areas that may present a higher risk include:
• Temporary agency labour
• Recruitment supply chains
• Facilities and maintenance services
• Certain goods sourced through complex international supply chains

We continue to consider these risks as part of our procurement and contract management arrangements.

Training and Awareness

We promote awareness of safeguarding, professional conduct and speaking up arrangements through induction and ongoing learning opportunities. Colleagues are encouraged to raise concerns where they suspect exploitation, abuse or unethical working practices.

Progress During 2025/2026

During the reporting period, Affinity Trust:
• Continued to maintain policies and procedures that support ethical employment and safeguarding practices
• Considered modern slavery risks within procurement and supplier management activities where appropriate
• Maintained whistleblowing arrangements to enable concerns to be raised safely and confidentially
• Continued to promote safeguarding awareness across the organisation

Priorities for 2026/2027

During the coming year, we intend to:
• Review opportunities to strengthen supplier assurance arrangements
• Undertake due diligence for higher risk suppliers
• Continue to raise awareness of modern slavery and related safeguarding concerns
• Keep relevant policies and procedures under review to ensure they remain effective and proportionate
• Work collaboratively with partners, commissioners and sector bodies to support good practic