Partners shutting out slavery’s gangmasters
Wednesday 15th of January 2025Modern slavery commonly involves people being forced into taking jobs by criminals, who then take some or all their earnings for themselves.
While it’s a significant issue in social care, with around 800 victims last year, partnership and data sharing is a powerful safeguard – and a method for bringing the criminals to justice …
Both Avenues Group and Neuven Solutions have recently partnered with Unseen, a UK charity focused on stopping modern slavery, which will provide both with additional support and training.
The relationship is part of a shared commitment to further strengthen our protection of the workforce and the vulnerable people it supports, against the criminal networks.
Stephen Pownall is Account Director at Neuven, which has worked with Avenues since 2021. It provides the charity with additional operational staff, through a range of separate agency suppliers.
He explains: “Like Avenues, over recent years we became concerned by the growing number of cases of modern slavery identified in our clients’ sectors, and became determined to make sure we had measures in place to protect the people and organisations we serve.
“We developed the way we work with suppliers, increasing engagement and education, as well as intensive vetting and audit processes.
“Through the additional expert support from Unseen, we know we can continue to strengthen our robust protection for workers and client organisations like Avenues.”
Director of People at Avenues Group, Caroline Neal, said: “As a charity we always put people first, both those we support and employees, and we are actively protecting our community against the criminals behind modern slavery.
“While law enforcement does all it can to identify and prosecute the gangmasters, we will do all we can to safeguard our employees and the people we support through our own detection processes and reporting.
“The commitment we share with Unseen, Neuven, and others in the sector, should serve as a stark warning to those behind modern slavery.”