1. Introduction

VAAS Group Limited (Company No. 10414750) is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within our business or in any of our supply chains.

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, and human trafficking, by which people are treated as commodities and exploited for criminal gain. We take our responsibility to prevent modern slavery extremely seriously.

2. Legislative Framework

This policy is adopted in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires certain organisations to produce an annual transparency statement setting out the steps taken to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking are not occurring within the business or its supply chains. VAAS Group Limited is committed to full compliance with all applicable legislation and to going beyond mere legal compliance in its efforts to combat modern slavery.

Modern slavery can take many forms, including trafficking of people, forced labour, debt bondage, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. It is characterised by coercion, deception, abuse of power, or the targeting of vulnerable individuals.

3. Scope and Application

This policy applies to all persons working for or on behalf of VAAS Group Limited in any capacity, including employees, directors, officers, agency workers, volunteers, contractors, consultants, and any other third-party representatives. It extends to all activities of the company, including employment and recruitment, procurement and supply chain management, and the delivery of services to clients.

The policy also applies to our subsidiary and partner companies, including Dyah Creative Consultancy, VAAS Cleaning Services, VAAS Investment, and VAAS Sport. Each operating company is expected to adopt and apply these principles within its own business activities.

4. Our Commitments

4.1 Our Own Business

VAAS Group Limited is committed to ensuring that its workforce is employed lawfully and with full respect for workers' rights. All staff are paid at or above the London Living Wage, are employed on fair and transparent terms, and are free to terminate their employment at any time. We do not use zero-hours contracts in a way that exploits workers, and we do not withhold identity documents or use debt bondage of any kind.

All recruitment activity is conducted through reputable channels. We carry out appropriate checks on the eligibility of all workers to work in the United Kingdom and verify identities and references for all new employees and contractors.

4.2 Supply Chains

VAAS Group Limited expects all suppliers, contractors, and partners to meet the same high standards we set for ourselves. Before engaging any supplier or subcontractor, we conduct proportionate due diligence to assess the risk of modern slavery within their operations. We reserve the right to terminate contracts with any supplier found to be involved in modern slavery or who fails to cooperate with our due diligence processes.

We give particular attention to higher-risk areas including outsourced services, temporary or agency labour, and international supply chains, and we apply increased scrutiny to suppliers operating in regions or sectors with elevated risk profiles.

4.3 Recruitment

We use only reputable employment agencies to source workers and always verify the identity, eligibility, and working conditions of agency staff before engagement. We do not impose recruitment fees on workers and will not work with agencies that do so. All workers are entitled to retain their own identification documents at all times.

5. Risk Assessment

VAAS Group Limited operates across a range of sectors including professional cleaning, marketing and communications, property management, and sports. Whilst our operations are primarily UK-based, we recognise that the cleaning and facilities management sector can present elevated risk due to the use of agency and temporary labour and outsourced supply chains. We will maintain an ongoing assessment of modern slavery risk within our business and supply chains, and will take proportionate action to address any risks identified.

6. Due Diligence

Our due diligence processes in relation to modern slavery include reviewing supplier contracts and terms of engagement; requesting confirmation from suppliers that they comply with applicable laws on forced labour, human trafficking, and workers' rights; asking targeted questions about labour practices in higher-risk supply chains; and reviewing any adverse information relating to labour standards.

Where risks are identified, we will take appropriate action, which may include requesting further information, conducting site visits, requiring remediation action plans, or terminating the relationship where necessary.

7. Awareness and Training

VAAS Group Limited will ensure that all relevant staff are made aware of this policy and understand their responsibilities in relation to modern slavery. Key indicators of modern slavery that staff should be alert to include workers who appear to be controlled by a third party; workers who appear not to be in possession of their own identity documents; workers who appear to be living in unsuitable or overcrowded accommodation controlled by an employer; workers who show signs of physical abuse or psychological distress; and workers who are reluctant to speak to others without a supervisor present.

Any member of staff who suspects that modern slavery may be taking place must report this immediately to the Director.

8. Reporting Concerns

VAAS Group Limited encourages openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if their concern proves to be unfounded. We are committed to ensuring that no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting a concern about modern slavery.

Concerns may be raised with the Director at 29 Byewaters, Watford, England, WD18 8WH. Concerns may also be reported to the national Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or to the police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency).

9. Responsibilities

Samuel Oluwanishola Anyia, Director, has overall responsibility for this policy, for ensuring it is implemented effectively, and for the company's compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. All staff and workers are responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with this policy, and for reporting any suspected breaches to the Director without delay.

10. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually by the Director and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or the company's operations. Where monitoring or due diligence identifies modern slavery concerns within the business or supply chain, the Director will take immediate action and, where appropriate, report to the relevant authorities.

1. Statement of Intent

VAAS Group Limited (Company No. 10414750) is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of all employees, workers, contractors, visitors, and any other persons who may be affected by the company's business activities. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to meet or exceed the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all associated regulations, codes of practice, and guidance.

Health and safety is the responsibility of everyone within VAAS Group Limited. The Director takes personal responsibility for ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to health and safety, and that this policy is implemented and kept under review.

2. Legislative Framework

This policy is adopted in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH); the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR); the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER); the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992; the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992; and the Working Time Regulations 1998, together with all other applicable health and safety legislation and guidance.

We are working towards formal accreditation of ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) and hold Safe Contractor and CHAS accreditations as part of our broader compliance framework.

3. Scope and Application

This policy applies to all employees, workers, directors, contractors, agency staff, and volunteers working for or on behalf of VAAS Group Limited and its operating companies, including VAAS Cleaning Services, Dyah Creative Consultancy, VAAS Investment, and VAAS Sport. It applies across all sites and locations at which VAAS Group Limited or its operating companies carry out work, including client premises.

4. General Arrangements

4.1 Risk Assessment

VAAS Group Limited will conduct and record suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all work activities, with particular attention to higher-risk operations including cleaning, use of chemicals, manual handling, and working at client premises. Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change to the work activity, workplace, or workforce. All operatives will be briefed on relevant risk assessments before commencing work.

4.2 COSHH

All substances used in our operations, particularly cleaning chemicals used by VAAS Cleaning Services operatives, will be assessed under COSHH regulations. Appropriate safety data sheets will be maintained, and all workers will receive training on the safe use, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances. Personal protective equipment will be provided where required and workers will be instructed in its use.

4.3 Manual Handling

Where manual handling cannot be avoided, it will be assessed and, where possible, reduced or controlled through the use of mechanical aids, training, and safe systems of work. All workers required to undertake manual handling will receive appropriate training before commencing such activities.

4.4 Personal Protective Equipment

VAAS Group Limited will provide all necessary personal protective equipment free of charge to workers where required by risk assessment. Workers will be trained in the correct use, maintenance, and storage of all PPE provided and will be required to wear PPE at all times where instructed to do so.

4.5 Accidents, Incidents and RIDDOR

All accidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Director without delay. The company will maintain an accident book in accordance with legal requirements and will investigate all incidents to identify causes and prevent recurrence. Reportable incidents will be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR within the timescales required by law.

4.6 Emergency Procedures

Appropriate emergency procedures, including fire evacuation procedures, will be established and communicated to all workers at each site before they commence work. Workers will be made aware of the location of fire exits, first aid equipment, and assembly points at each client site.

4.7 First Aid

VAAS Group Limited will ensure that adequate first aid provision is in place for all work activities, including the provision of appropriate first aid kits and, where required by risk assessment, trained first aiders. At client premises, workers will be made aware of the client's first aid arrangements before commencing work.

4.8 Working at Client Premises

Before commencing work at any client site, VAAS Group Limited will obtain relevant health and safety information from the client, share our Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) documentation, confirm emergency procedures and site rules, and brief all operatives accordingly. We will cooperate fully with clients in the management of health and safety at their premises.

5. Training and Competence

VAAS Group Limited will ensure that all employees and workers receive appropriate health and safety training relevant to their role before commencing work. VAAS Cleaning Services operatives are trained to BICSc standards and receive site-specific inductions at each client location. Training records will be maintained and reviewed regularly to ensure that competence is kept up to date.

No individual will be required to carry out any work for which they have not received adequate training and instruction, and no individual will be required to carry out work that creates an unacceptable risk to their health or safety or that of others.

6. Responsibilities

6.1 Director

Samuel Oluwanishola Anyia, Director, has overall and ultimate responsibility for health and safety within VAAS Group Limited. The Director will ensure that this policy is implemented, maintained, and reviewed; that adequate resources are provided for health and safety management; and that any serious health and safety concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.

6.2 Managers and Supervisors

All managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of responsibility; ensuring that risk assessments are carried out and communicated; ensuring that workers receive appropriate inductions and training; and reporting any health and safety concerns, accidents, or near misses to the Director.

6.3 All Workers

All workers are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions; follow all safe systems of work, risk assessments, and instructions given by managers and supervisors; use personal protective equipment as required; and report any hazards, accidents, or near misses to their manager or supervisor without delay.

7. Consultation with Workers

VAAS Group Limited will consult with workers on health and safety matters and will take account of their views. Workers are encouraged to raise any health and safety concerns with their manager or directly with the Director and are assured that there will be no negative consequences for raising genuine concerns in good faith.

8. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually by the Director and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, or the company's operations. Health and safety performance will be monitored through regular site inspections, accident and incident analysis, and audit of risk assessments and training records. Where monitoring identifies opportunities for improvement, appropriate action will be taken without delay.