On Track Education recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. Our organisation is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking within its activities and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
This statement sets out On Track’’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its business and supply chains.
Introduction
On Track Education is a company limited by guarantee which operates a group of schools and related services around the UK.
Our suppliers are UK based and key supply areas cover agency staff, educational resources, catering, maintenance/repairs and cleaning.
Approach
We work to the highest professional standards and comply with all laws, regulations, and rules relevant to our business. We expect the same high standards from those we work with and are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. We act ethically and with integrity in all of our business relations.
Identifying and addressing risks
We recognise that there are two main areas of risk through which modern slavery could impact our organisation. The first is through matters of a safeguarding nature which covers child sex exploitation or human trafficking which can directly impact our pupils. This also potentially affects the staff of our contractors. The second is our supply chain.
Supply chain
Our suppliers are expected to comply with all local and national laws and regulations. This includes paying their staff the minimum wage, and any on-site staff passing a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check. Should suppliers fail to meet our minimum requirements, or be unwilling to make any changes, we may cease to trade with them.
We are taking steps to ensure our key suppliers operate in accordance with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We will ensure that we support staff in working with existing and new suppliers through training and understanding of our processes embedded in our procurement practices to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking.
Safeguarding
We take safeguarding incredibly seriously in upholding our statutory duties and striving to safeguard staff and pupils through a culture of safeguarding and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We have Designated Safeguarding Leads and deputies in each one of our schools who work together to implement policy and secure excellence in safeguarding practice, proactively working with the local authorities, the local safeguarding partnerships, the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) and local stakeholders to combat safeguarding issues, including child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
The quality and impact of our safeguarding practice is reviewed by our Directors. Safeguarding policy and practice is reviewed every half term. Safeguarding is an agenda item at every Directors meeting.
Training
Every member of staff is trained on the Safeguarding policy and each school also has a Whistleblowing Policy which enables those with concerns about any wrongdoing or breaches of law, to raise these concerns in confidence without fear of disciplinary action. We evaluate our processes for raising concerns to ensure that there are clearly identified ways to report concerns of whistleblowing or modern slavery which are available to all users of our premises.