Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 73
73
Acknowledged
Require Local Authorities to evaluate modern slavery risk in adult social care supply chains.
Conclusion
Local Authorities must evaluate the risk of modern slavery in their adult social care supply chains and ensure that the risk of modern slavery is assessed as part of the due diligence processes at the commissioning and contracting stage and in performance monitoring. They should ensure that there is effective information sharing between Workforce: recruitment, training and retention in health and social care 67 Local Authorities staff, recruitment agencies, and care workers to reduce occupational risks such as non-enforcement of minimum and living wage, and threats of physical or sexual violence. (Paragraph 235) 68 Workforce: recruitment, training and retention in health and social care
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and encourages Local Authorities to evaluate the risk of modern slavery in their adult social care supply chains and during due diligence processes. They also highlighted the ongoing engagement of Labour Market Enforcement bodies with external partners, including LAs.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Recommendations 72 and 73 have been grouped together to provide an overarching response to the Committee. We agree with these recommendations. We encourage Local Authorities to evaluate the risk of modern slavery in their adult social care supply chains and ensure that the risk of modern slavery is assessed, as per this report’s recommendation. We take any reports of unsafe and illegal employment practices in the social care sector very seriously. Any accusations of illegal practice will be fully investigated by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. The Labour Market Enforcement bodies (Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Team) have an active programme of engagement with external partners, including those in the care sector, to help make sure workers know their rights and employers understand their obligations. This activity includes working with partners such as the Care Quality Commission, industry representative groups, unions and the Local Government Association (amongst others). This is an ongoing programme, examples of activity so far include webinars, and working directly with LA’s, alongside the development of publications to assist those working or operating within the care sector. Labour Market Enforcement bodies have an active programme of engagement with external partners including the Local Government Association and LAs.