Modern Slavery Statement — Garden Maintenance Sydenham

Garden Maintenance Sydenham is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our business and supply chains. This statement sets out the steps we take across our gardening, landscaping and groundskeeping services to uphold human rights. We operate with a clear zero-tolerance policy to any form of forced labour, exploitation or unlawful employment practices.

Our approach to ethical labour draws on industry best practice and local regulations. All employees, contractors and partners engaged in garden maintenance in Sydenham are expected to comply with our standards. We require that staff receive fair pay, freedom of movement, and that recruitment processes are transparent and free of fees charged to workers.

We maintain rigorous supplier selection processes and carry out risk-based supplier audits to verify compliance. These audits examine recruitment practices, documentation, working hours and living conditions where relevant. For suppliers engaged in landscaping or plant sourcing, we assess supply chains for indicators of exploitative practices and take corrective action when necessary.

Policies, Due Diligence and Supplier Audits

We require contractual commitments from all vendors and sub-contractors to comply with our labour standards. Our procurement team uses screening tools and due diligence checks for higher-risk categories. Where risks are identified, we implement targeted supplier audits and remediation plans. The Sydenham garden maintenance procurement criteria include verification of identity checks, lawful wages and absence of debt bondage.

Reporting channels are central to our prevention and response framework. We provide multiple safe and confidential mechanisms to report suspected modern slavery, including an internal whistleblowing policy and routes to escalate through line management or designated safeguarding officers. Reports are investigated promptly, confidentially and without retaliation; suspected criminal activity is referred to the relevant authorities.

Key elements of our programme include:

• Risk-based supplier audits and documentation checks;
• Mandatory staff training on recognising signs of exploitation;
• Contract clauses requiring suppliers to adhere to labour standards.

Monitoring, Enforcement and Annual Review

We monitor performance through regular reviews of supplier audit findings and internal compliance checks. If breaches are found, we use a proportionate approach: immediate remediation and worker protection measures are prioritised, with contract termination considered for serious or repeated violations. Our enforcement combines corrective action plans, follow-up audits and, where necessary, ending relationships with non-compliant suppliers.

As part of our continuous improvement commitments, Garden Maintenance Sydenham conducts an annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and associated policies. The annual review assesses the effectiveness of risk assessments, the sufficiency of supplier audits and the responsiveness of reporting channels. The review results inform training updates, procurement adjustments and any refinement of our zero-tolerance measures.

We commit to transparency in our actions while respecting confidentiality and legal constraints. Sydenham garden maintenance teams receive ongoing support to recognise and respond to red flags, and our leadership is accountable for ensuring that our operations and suppliers meet these standards. We will continue to strengthen due diligence, expand audit coverage, and maintain clear reporting channels to eradicate modern slavery from our operations and supply chain.