Modern Slavery Statement — Gardening Croydon Commitment

Gardening Croydon is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our operations. This statement sets out the steps we take to ensure that forced labour, human trafficking and any form of exploitation have no place in the way we deliver garden care in Croydon or source our supplies. Our core position is one of zero-tolerance to modern slavery, reflected in policies, training and contractual expectations across the business.

We accept responsibility for driving best practice across Croydon gardening services and the wider supply chain. Our leadership team regularly reviews the risks associated with labour-intensive activities such as landscaping, seasonal planting and grounds maintenance, and we embed safeguards into recruitment, subcontractor selection and daily site management. Gardeners in Croydon engaged by or working alongside Gardening Croydon must meet our standards on pay, working hours and voluntary engagement.

Scope and Risk Assessment

We undertake an annual risk assessment to identify where risks of modern slavery may arise in our activities. This assessment covers direct employees, agency labour, contracted crew and suppliers of goods and services related to garden maintenance and horticultural materials. The assessment is informed by local intelligence, industry reports and feedback from field supervisors to focus our resources where vulnerability is highest, including seasonal peaks in demand for garden services.

Zero-Tolerance Policy and Staff Expectations

Our zero-tolerance policy is explicit: any confirmed instance of modern slavery will lead to immediate action, including termination of contracts and referral to the relevant authorities. All staff, from management to site operatives, are trained to recognise signs of exploitation and to prioritise the safety and welfare of individuals. Strong disciplinary processes are in place and we require that Croydon gardening contractors adopt equivalent standards before engagement.

We maintain clear contractual clauses that oblige suppliers to comply with anti-slavery laws and to operate ethically. Terms require transparency on labour practices for suppliers providing plants, compost, machinery and seasonal labour. Our procurement team evaluates supplier commitments to fair pay and workers’ rights as part of every procurement decision.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

We operate a programme of supplier audits and checks to verify compliance. Key elements include:

• Risk-based pre-engagement screening of suppliers and sub-contractors;
• Periodic on-site audits and document reviews to confirm labour practices;
• Corrective action plans where concerns are identified and follow-up audits to confirm remediation.

These steps help ensure that the wider Croydon gardening supply chain meets our ethical standards.

Reporting Channels and Support

We provide multiple confidential reporting channels for staff and workers to raise concerns without fear of reprisal: internal reporting to supervisors, anonymous whistleblowing mechanisms and clear guidance to contact local authorities. We emphasise the protection of vulnerable people and will work with third-party agencies, support organisations and law enforcement where necessary. Our approach is survivor-focused and includes practical support measures for affected individuals while investigations are underway.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement Gardening Croydon will review this statement and its implementation at least once a year. The annual review includes performance metrics from audits, incident reports, training completion rates and supplier remediation outcomes. Findings will inform updates to policy, training content and our procurement requirements so that our anti-slavery measures evolve with emerging risks in garden and landscaping services across Croydon and neighbouring areas.

Conclusion We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of our operations. By combining a zero-tolerance approach, active supplier auditing, accessible reporting channels and regular reviews, Gardening Croydon seeks to ensure that modern slavery is systematically identified, prevented and addressed wherever it might arise in our business and among our suppliers.