Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

1. Our commitment

Nova Care Consultants Ltd (Nova Care) has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms, including forced labour, debt bondage and servitude. We expect the same standards from everyone who works with us or supplies us.

Nova Care falls below the turnover threshold set by section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We publish this statement voluntarily because protecting people from exploitation is central to our work as safeguarding professionals.

2. Our business

Nova Care is an independent social work consultancy founded in 2017 and based in Hampshire. We work across England and Wales through seven regional hubs, providing mental capacity assessments, expert reports and related services to over 70 law firms, families and professionals.

Our team is made up of registered professionals: social workers registered with Social Work England and Social Care Wales, occupational therapists, a doctor and a nurse, supported by a small administrative team. We do not employ low-paid or unskilled labour.

3. Our supply chain

Our supply chain is small and almost entirely UK-based. It covers:

• associate professionals (registered health and social care practitioners);

• IT hardware, software, cloud hosting and telecommunications;

• professional services, including accountancy and insurance;

• office services and subscriptions.

We consider our overall risk to be low. The areas of higher inherent risk are IT hardware manufactured overseas and any outsourced cleaning or facilities services.

4. Policies and due diligence

Our approach is supported by our safeguarding and whistleblowing arrangements, our Terms of Business and our associate agreements, and by the professional standards of our regulators.

In practice, we:

• verify the professional registration, DBS status and indemnity insurance of every practitioner before they work with us;

• use established, reputable UK suppliers wherever possible;

• expect suppliers to meet equivalent standards, and will review any relationship where they cannot.

5. Training and awareness

All our practitioners are trained in safeguarding adults and recognising signs of exploitation, including modern slavery, as part of their professional registration and continuing professional development. Our assessments often take place in people's homes and care settings, so our staff are well placed to notice and act on concerns.

6. Reporting and responding to concerns

Anyone working with Nova Care can raise a concern with a Director in confidence and without fear of reprisal. If we identify or suspect modern slavery, in our business, our supply chain or in the course of our work with clients, we will:

• make a safeguarding referral to the relevant local authority and, where appropriate, report to the police or the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline (08000 121 700);

• take steps to protect and support anyone affected;

• suspend or end any supplier relationship where a breach is found, taking care not to worsen the position of the workers involved;

• co-operate fully with any investigation.

• No concerns of modern slavery or human trafficking were identified in our business or supply chain during the year.
  

7. Next steps

Over the coming year we will:

• ask our key suppliers to confirm their own approach to modern slavery;

• add a modern slavery clause to our associate and supplier agreements;

• review this statement annually.

Approval

This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 01/10/2026.