Sexual Harassment Statement

This statement is published in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which places a legal duty on employers to take all steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

The statement sets down Horizon Care’s commitment to preventing sexual harassment in our business activities and the steps we have put in place with the aim of ensuring that there is no harassment, and specifically no sexual harassment, in our own business and supply chains. We all have a duty to be alert to risks, however small. Staff are expected to report their concerns and management to act upon them.

About Horizon Care

Horizon Care is a provider of care and support to adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and other complex and challenging support needs across the UK. The people we support are funded by local authorities, Integrated Care Boards and other health and social care organisations, as well as directly by the individuals we support themselves.

Our commitment to the prevention of harassment

Horizon Care is committed to the principles of the Equality Act and the prevention of all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory, respectful and positive working environment for our staff and will take all steps to prevent harassment, addressing concerns promptly and protecting individuals from victimisation. We want all our staff to feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without any risk to themselves.

Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are safeguarded from any form of harassment, including sexual harassment.

This statement applies to employees, workers, contractors, volunteers and third parties, including the people we support and visitors. We recognise that harassment may occur between colleagues or from third parties, and we are committed to addressing all forms.

We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in sexual harassment.

Our policies in relation to the Equality Act

The following policies are available to all staff through our staff forums and newsfeeds:

• Code of Conduct
• Harassment Policy
• Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics Policy
• Raising Concerns, Freedom to Speak Up and Whistleblowing Policy
• Equality and Human Rights Policy
• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Hate Crime Policy
• Recruitment Policy
• Management and Prevention of Violence at Work Policy
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy
• Sex, Sexuality and Relationships Policy

Embedding the principles

We will continue to embed the principles through:

• Providing awareness training to staff on harassment and informing them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of harassment.
• Making sure our procurement strategies and contract terms and conditions include references to harassment.
• Continuing to take action to embed a zero tolerance policy towards harassment.
• Ensuring that staff involved in buying or procurement and the recruitment and deployment of workers receive training on harassment and ethical employment practices.
• Proactively identifying risks, including lone working, care environments and power imbalances.
• Mitigating risks through supervision, safeguarding procedures and ongoing monitoring.
• Monitoring incidents, training completion and emerging trends to assess effectiveness and continuously improve.
• Continuing our commitment to preventing harassment, promoting respect and meeting our legal obligations.

This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors for the year ending October 2026. It will be reviewed and updated every year.
Horizon Care, Suite 1.10 Great House, Redwall Close, Dinnington, Sheffield, S25 3QA