Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) is one of the largest NHS community health providers in England, providing services to a population of approximately 3.6 million people across Kent, East Sussex and parts of London. We employ more than 5,000 colleagues, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, healthcare support workers, corporate staff and specialist teams.
Our services are delivered in a wide range of settings including people’s homes, care homes, health clinics, community hospitals, urgent treatment centres and mobile units. The Trust was awarded NHS Foundation Trust status on 1 March 2015 and was rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in July 2019.
Our annual turnover is approximately £352.8 million. We procure a wide range of goods and services, from low‑value one‑off purchases to large, complex service contracts with key suppliers.
Our commitment
Modern slavery is a serious crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes many forms, including slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. Modern slavery can occur within a range of sectors, including health and social care, and victims may present to NHS services for care and treatment.
KCHFT is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our organisation and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to identify, safeguard and support individuals who may be at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation. This forms part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities and contributes to our commitment to equity, human rights and ethical practice.
Our values of compassion, aspiration, responsiveness and excellence align with the UK Government’s commitment to eradicate modern slavery and with our duties under the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly Article 4, which protects individuals from slavery and forced labour.
Governance and accountability
Responsibility for modern slavery sits within the Trust’s safeguarding governance arrangements. Oversight is provided through senior leadership and Board assurance processes, ensuring compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relevant NHS guidance.
This statement has been approved by the Trust Board and will be reviewed annually.
Due diligence and risk management
KCHFT has policies, procedures and controls in place to reduce the risk of modern slavery within our operations and supply chains. These include:
- Safeguarding policies and procedures that incorporate modern slavery and human trafficking
- Role‑appropriate safeguarding training for colleagues, including awareness of indicators of modern slavery and how to respond to concerns
- Clear escalation pathways for suspected or confirmed cases, including referral to local safeguarding processes and the National Referral Mechanism where appropriate
- Expectations that colleagues act in accordance with professional standards, Trust values and ethical behaviours.
Recruitment and workforce practices
KCHFT is committed to fair, transparent and lawful recruitment practices. We take steps to ensure that:
- All colleagues have the legal right to work in the UK
- Identity documents are verified and checked in line with legal requirements
- Where visas or work permits are required, documentation is monitored to ensure ongoing compliance
- We work only with reputable employment agencies and undertake appropriate compliance checks before their use.
These measures help reduce the risk of forced labour, exploitation or coercion within our workforce.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The Trust is committed to equity of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination in employment and training. We aim to create a working environment where all colleagues are treated with dignity and respect, and where concerns about exploitation or unfair treatment can be raised safely.
Freedom to speak up
KCHFT encourages an open and transparent culture. Our Freedom to Speak Up Policy and Guardian service enable colleagues to raise concerns confidentially about unsafe, unethical or inappropriate practices, including concerns related to modern slavery, poor working conditions or exploitation.
Procurement and supply chains
KCHFT recognises that the greatest risk of modern slavery may exist within supply chains. Our procurement and contract management arrangements include:
- Experienced procurement and contract management teams with awareness of the Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Use of standard NHS and Trust contract terms, including clauses requiring suppliers to comply with modern slavery legislation
- Requirement for suppliers to confirm their compliance with the Act as part of procurement processes
- Proportionate due diligence, including reliance on Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and other approved framework providers where appropriate
- Ongoing contract management by service managers, with concerns about non‑compliance escalated and addressed promptly.
Where procurement is conducted via open market competition, tenders are advertised in line with public procurement regulations and suppliers must confirm compliance with modern slavery requirements.
Measuring effectiveness and continuous improvement
During 2026–2027, KCHFT will continue to:
- Monitor safeguarding activity related to modern slavery referrals and concerns
- Review training uptake and awareness across relevant staff groups
- Respond to learning from safeguarding reviews and audits
- Strengthen collaboration between safeguarding, workforce and procurement teams
- Review and update this statement annually to reflect emerging risks, guidance and best practice.
Approval
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s modern slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2027.
Caroline Bates
Chief Nursing Officer
On behalf of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Date approved: 20 April 2026
Approval Committee: Peoples Committee