Modern Slavery in Social Care: A Call for Leadership and Accountability

In the UK adult social care sector, the  convergence of low  wages, high demand, and inadequate oversight has become a defining characteristic. This environment has fostered unethical practices and a trend towards forced labour, making the sector increasingly susceptible to labour exploitation. According to BBC, investigators trying to protect workers from being exploited cite the care industry as a "top priority." This is unsurprising, given the sector's ongoing struggle with numerous instances of modern slavery over recent years.In 2023 alone, over 800 potential victims of modern slavery were identified in the social care sector.

Unseen, a Bristol-based charity, reported a staggering 1,100% increase in potential modern slavery cases in 2022 compared to 2021,. This significant rise underscores  the scale of the issue since care workers were added to the shortage occupation list.

There are numerous additional validating statistics. Recognising these trends, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has been taking stringent steps over the past few years to  combat the malpractices. Additionally most UK healthcare Request for Proposal (RFP) now require organizations to address how they manage these issues before engaging with them.

While  various authorities are stepping in to address the larger cause, it is  imperative for organisations in the social care sector to proactively play their role. They must work to reverse the trend, safeguard their workers, and ensure ethical practices throughout their operations. At Magnit, we are committed to leading the charge against  modern slavery by offering comprehensive solutions that go beyond compliance and empower organisations to act ethically. In this blog, we highlight areas that adult social care organisations must be cautious of and explain how to proactively prevent modern slavery using our solutions.
 

Slavery in Adult Social Care: A closer look at what’s leading to the crisis

The UK’s population is aging, and healthcare needs are  increasing. . At the same time, significant staff shortages in healthcare are straining existing resources. In response, the UK government relaxed visa rules to fill critical vacancies in care homes and residential settings. Consequently, more workers(many of them migrants),began entering the sector on short-term visas. However, this influx has been accompanied by a rising tide of malpractices.

Research reveals that a significant portion of healthcare workers were recruited under false pretenses. Many of these workers  ultimately became victims of severe exploitation and abuse. This manifested in several ways including:

• Wages are withheld after services are rendered
• Wages are excessively reduced(below the minimum wage) in exchange for food and accommodation
• Inhumane working hours, such as 20 hours a day
• Unsanitary living conditions and
• Instances of debt bondage,  where migrant workers are  forced to work to repay  the money borrowed for  travel to the UK. Their passports or permits are withheld until the fees  are paid.

The widespread prevalence of such malpractices not only violates workers' human rights  but also compromises  the quality of care provided to society's most vulnerable members. At this juncture, organizations operating in the social care sector must take a  decisive role in ending such modern slavery. Leaders must recognize that now is the time to  move beyond  viewing  compliance as a mere box-ticking exercise and actively protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.

What’s the best way to enhance the end-to-end diligence in managing the supply chain and eliminate  these malpractices?

Introducing Magnit’s Comprehensive Approach: Shift and the Whistleblowing Platform

At Magnit, we are dedicated to helping organizations to address modern slavery issues through compliance and strategic, proactive measures. Our platform for the UK Care Sector (Magnit Shift)  empowers organizations to thoroughly review all worker documentation and compliance credentials. This provides essential oversight in sectors where staffing shortages   often result in hasty, unchecked recruitment. However, to truly tackle the challenges of modern slavery, merely ticking the compliance box is not enough.

Recognizing the need for robust reporting mechanisms, we have recently introduced the Magnit Whistleblowing Platform in collaboration with Navex. This unique platform provides a secure and anonymous reporting tool, enabling workers, clients, and partners across the supply chain to report any concerns about misconduct, modern slavery, or other serious issues without fear of retaliation. We envision this as one of the most effective ways to eliminate unethical practices at their root and address risks early on.

In essence, by combining Magnit Shift for compliance and our Whistleblowing platform for transparency, we at Magnit have created a unique opportunity to help abolish modern slavery in the UK social care market. No other vendor-neutral workforce management provider currently offers such a comprehensive solution for enabling organizations to identify and prevent the exploitation of healthcare workers.

Demonstrate your commitment to ethical governance, safeguard reputations, and lead the industry

If you  aim to foster a culture of accountability and transparency across your adult social care supply chain and ensure ethical operations, Magnit is here to assist..

Speak with our experts to learn how we can help you protect your workers while ensuring compliance

For more details about our commitment to preventing modern slavery, please refer to our Modern Slavery Statement 2024.

Disclaimer: The content in this blog post is for informational purposes only and cannot be construed as specific legal advice or as a substitute for legal advice. The blog post reflects the opinion of Magnit and is not to be construed as legal solutions and positions. Contact an attorney for specific advice and guidance for specific issues or questions.