Modern Slavery Statement

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“the Act”) and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending September 2023.

Introduction

Slavery, servitude, forced labour and human trafficking (Modern Slavery) are issues of increasing global concern affecting all sectors. Modern Slavery is fundamentally unacceptable within our business and supply chains and is an important element in our overall approach to business and human rights. Devonshire Homes is committed to ensuring that all its business dealings are carried out in full compliance with relevant laws and, in doing so, we endorse the implementation and promotion of ethical business practices to protect workers from being abused and exploited.

About our Business

Devonshire Homes is an independent award-winning house builder that builds homes across the South West of England. Our business is based in Devon and currently employs 70 staff from our headquarters in Tiverton and a further 200 contractors on site across the South West.

We strive to provide homes that not only meet the needs of house hunters, but which are sympathetic to the surrounding environment.

Policies

We treat all our stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, subcontractors, business partners and customers in a fair and respectful manner and uphold all human rights.

We have implemented the procedures to assist with identification of Modern Slavery risks and to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations.

Direct, Agency and Temporary Employment Practices
We do not employ any person below the age of 16 in any of our business operations, including our sites. As a reputable UK business, we ensure that as a minimum we comply with all relevant employment legislation, including legislation upholding minimum pay levels, legally mandated benefits, working conditions and working hours.

We expect all agency providers to be able to satisfy us that staff all have written employment contracts and are legally able to work within the UK.

Our Suppliers and Subcontractors
All our suppliers and subcontractors are either UK entities or are UK offices of large international companies. Additionally, many of the goods we buy are produced either in the UK or in jurisdictions that have well established frameworks to protect workers from abuse and exploitation.

Our suppliers and sub-contractors are required to comply with all relevant anti-slavery legislation and our Modern Slavery policy, expressed in this Statement. Failure to comply with legislation and/or this Statement will result in the termination of all live contracts.

We do not condone the sale and use of materials that have been obtained or manufactured from an illegal or unauthorised source.

Whistleblowing
Our staff and sub-contractors are encouraged to remain vigilant to unethical practices and we have whistleblowing procedures in place for the reporting of concerns.

Training and Awareness
We provide training for senior management and other key employees and awareness is raised for all employees through internal communication channels.

Assessment of effectiveness in preventing Modern Slavery

We understand that Modern Slavery risk is not static and will continue our approach to mitigating this risk in the year ahead and adopt best practice. The Devonshire Homes board have contributed to this policy and approve the statement; pledging to review the effectiveness annually.

Date: 6th March 2024

David Heathcoat-Amory
Chairman