This is LSTM Group’s statement for the financial year 2018-19.
Introduction from the Director of LSTM
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) recognises that all organisations have an obligation to prevent slavery and human trafficking. Modern Slavery is an international crime affecting millions of people across the globe. It is an unacceptable practice involving people regardless of age, gender or ethnicity in developed (including the UK) as well as developing countries. Within Britain victims include people trafficked from overseas, or vulnerable people from the UK, who are forced to work illegally or against their will. The purpose of this statement is to satisfy part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act and to provide an update on our commitment to ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
1. Organisation’s Structure
LSTM, founded in 1898, is the oldest school of tropical medicine in the world and is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases.
The LSTM Group consists of:
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, comprising of academic departments, research centres, administrative departments and libraries.
- NGO’s ;
LSTM DRC,
Liverpool Initiative for Health Development (Nigeria),
LSTM Sierra Leone,
LSTM Malawi,
LSTM Uganda,
LSTM Tanzania (Ltd Company),
CeSHHAR Zimbabwe (Charity)
- LSTM Consulting;
LSTM Kenya,
LSTM Consulting USA,
LATH South Sudan (NGO)
- IVCC
- WELL Travelled Clinics
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Foundation India
Our Supply Chains
Our 1450 Suppliers are based in 60 different countries across the world with the bulk of them in the UK, USA and across Africa. The procurement team has begun working on strategies to improve value for money and manage the modern slavery risks across all categories of expenditure.
2. Our Policies on Slavery and Human Trafficking
We are committed to endeavouring to ensure that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. LSTM Group operates to ensure fairness in the recruitment, retention and development of employees and it seeks to comply with all applicable employment legislation. LSTM Group seeks to provide a work environment where employees are treated with respect, dignity and consideration.
Our policies, including our Supplier Code of Practice, Staff Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy and the LSTM Public Interest Disclosure (whistleblowing) policy are available to all staff through our Policy Hub. The Supplier Code of Practise is also available externally through our website.
3. Due Diligence Process for Slavery and Human Trafficking
The LSTM Due Diligence process is extensive and is used by our Research, Fundraising and Procurement teams. We are investigating tools to enable this process to run more efficiently and effectively which will enable this to be shared more broadly across the organisation. The process includes specific questions regarding Modern Slavery awareness and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act alongside other legislative requirements such as Money Laundering, Criminal Finance and the Bribery Act.
Supplier Adherence to our Values
LSTM has a zero tolerance view to slavery and human trafficking and we expect that view to prevail in our supply chain and contractors. This is communicated to all LSTM group suppliers through the Supplier Code of Conduct, as above. Senior Managers within LSTM are responsible for compliance in their respective departments, insofar as there is perceived to be a risk of encouraging, engaging or sustaining slavery and human trafficking.
4. Risk Assessment
During 2018-19 a full risk assessment of the status of the overseas subsidiaries was carried out via a comprehensive questionnaire. Modern Slavery awareness was assessed within this exercise and all our subsidiaries have reported compliance with the LSTM policies which helps to reduce the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our overseas supply chains. This work will be built upon in the next 12 months as we look to further enhance awareness through an LSTM wise training programme.
LSTM has continued to work closely with the University consortia in monitoring, assessing and combatting modern slavery across the supply chain. In October 2018 the LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortia) undertook its first social audit of a factory involved in manufacturing nitrile gloves purchased by the UK university sector. LUPC conducted the audit with full access and support from factory management, gloves manufacturer and gloves suppliers to the UK market. The LUPC have reported that five out of the six corrective actions have been undertaken. Collaborative working with the consortia is an important strand of LSTM’s Modern Slavery Action plan.
5. Training for Staff
To ensure appropriate levels or risk awareness in respect of modern slavery and human trafficking, all Directors in the organisation have been briefed on the subject. Specific training has been undertaken by our Head of Procurement who has completed the CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply course and certificate. All staff have access to our Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblowing code of practice through the LSTM Policy Hub.
6. Our Effectiveness in Combating Slavery and Human Trafficking
The Modern Slavery Working Group have refreshed the Action Plan for the coming 12 months. This will include some KPIs to measure our effectiveness in combating modern slavery and human trafficking.
This statement is made to pursuant to Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2014 and constitutes LSTM’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year 2018-19.
Approved by Board of Directors on 18th November 2019
Signed by LSTM Director
