Modern Slavery Statement — Garden Maintenance Blackwall

Garden Maintenance Blackwall is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our approach, responsibilities and actions to ensure that our services — whether provided by Garden Maintenance Blackwall or through the wider Blackwall garden maintenance network — are free from exploitation. We operate with a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labour, bonded labour, child labour and any practices that violate human rights. Our commitment covers employees, contractors and the supply chains that support garden maintenance in Blackwall and surrounding areas.

We define modern slavery broadly and include both direct and indirect risks associated with groundskeeping, landscaping and seasonal labour common to garden maintenance in Blackwall. Our policy requires that everyone involved with our business adheres to minimum standards on working hours, fair pay and voluntary employment. Any breach of these standards is treated as a serious matter and will trigger immediate investigation and remedial action. The policy is published internally and forms part of our procurement and contractor onboarding processes.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

We maintain a robust supplier assurance programme that uses risk-based auditing, contractual obligations and targeted due diligence to reduce the risk of modern slavery in our supply chain. Key elements include:

• Risk profiling: Suppliers are assessed against geographic, sector and service risk factors.
• Contract clauses: All new contracts contain anti-slavery clauses and rights to audit.
• On-site and remote audits: Regular checks of labour practices and documentation.
• Corrective action plans: Suppliers must respond to findings within set timeframes.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We provide clear, accessible reporting channels for employees, contractors and third parties to raise concerns about modern slavery. Reports can be submitted anonymously and will be handled with confidentiality and care. Our reporting framework includes internal reporting to a designated compliance lead, a formal incident logging process and the right to escalate serious allegations to independent investigators. We encourage early reporting and explicitly protect anyone who reports in good faith from retaliation.

Investigation, Training and Ongoing Monitoring

We undertake prompt investigations of all credible allegations. Investigations follow a documented protocol that includes fact-finding, stakeholder interviews and collaboration with external experts where needed. Staff receive mandatory training on recognising signs of exploitation, and procurement teams receive specialist instruction on supplier audits and contractual enforcement. We use a combination of periodic checks, worker interviews and documentation reviews to monitor compliance, particularly in high-risk activities such as seasonal planting, manual clearance and subcontracted landscaping.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement — Garden Maintenance Blackwall conducts an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement, the effectiveness of our controls and progress against our action plan. The review examines audit outcomes, incidence reports, remediation progress and training completion rates. Findings lead to updated risk assessments, strengthened contractual terms and targeted supplier engagement. We also benchmark our approach against sector best practice to ensure continuous improvement. Our annual review cycle ensures that our zero-tolerance stance remains active, measurable and responsive to emerging risks.