New HSV-developed assessment tool helps gauge modern slavery risk

Positive feedback on the HSV modern slavery risk mitigation program means there are plans to expand its reach – and a new online assessment tool developed by the Modern Slavery and Information Technology teams is helping to make this possible.

Under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (the ‘Act’), businesses (including health services) with revenue over $100 million must complete a modern slavery statement which includes reporting on modern slavery risk and any corresponding mitigations they have in place. To help with this requirement, suppliers under a collective agreement with HSV are required to complete a risk assessment annually which helps them to meet a minimum set of standards.

HSV risk assesses its suppliers, helping them to understand the modern slavery risk in their supply chain or operations. The risk assessment produces a weighted modern slavery risk rating. The rating takes into consideration factors such as the countries suppliers manufacture in including obtaining raw materials, producing products and or importing from overseas, their policies, training, due diligence and remedy.

HSV’s Modern Slavery and Information Technology teams have introduced a streamlined inhouse developed tool that makes the assessment process quicker and easier for all involved. This has also reduced the cost of this process in a fiscally constrained environment.   

“The new tool is fully automated and features a secure online assessment form that is easy for suppliers to complete, and that seamlessly gathers and interprets the data in the backend providing an immediate result,” says Chief Financial Officer John Delinaoum.

“The new online assessment form is more user friendly, which should contribute to a higher response rate. We have invited two tranches of suppliers to complete the new assessment process so far and have had a great response – we expect over three-quarters of the approached suppliers to respond based on current numbers. It will also assist the Modern Slavery team to further analyse and interpret the responses to create a fit for purpose and individualised report for each reporting health service.”

Expanding our support

Currently 29 health services are required to submit a modern slavery report. These numbers may change in future, with the potential for more health services to be required to be compliant with the Act.  In addition, at present only suppliers engaged under a collective agreement with HSV are invited to be assessed, but HSV is working with health services to expand this to suppliers nominated by the health services to take part.

“The new assessment tool allows us to expand to health services with little extra effort – with less time spent compiling assessments, we can dedicate more time to helping health services and suppliers meet their obligations,” says John.

“Health services told us they were eager for the tool to be implemented with their nominated suppliers, as it reduces a significant part of the workload that goes into producing their health service annual Modern Slavery Statement under the Act, making one less thing to do in their busy day.”

Mitigating risk

John says that HSV works with its high-risk suppliers, assisting them to understand the risks in their supply chain, and actions they can take to mitigate these risks. “Everyone is at a different stage of their risk maturity and understanding of modern slavery in their supply chains. We help them to understand where they are at, and how they can improve their risk rating and reduce modern slavery risk.”  

One of the ways HSV helps suppliers is by offering targeted modern slavery seminars and information sessions. A recent seminar series focussed on the freight industry. For the remainder of this year, four repeat sessions of the popular ‘Introducing modern slavery risk’ will be held. These seminars are scheduled for October and November. 

The Modern Slavery team has also provided feedback on individual high-risk suppliers’ policy documents, as well as offered one on one workshops with health services.

Suppliers and health services are also welcome to use the resources available on the HSV website.