{{org_field_logo}}

{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Environmental Sustainability Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Environmental Sustainability Policy is to establish {{org_field_name}}’s commitment to minimising its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices throughout all aspects of its operations, service delivery, and stakeholder relationships. As a provider of temporary healthcare staff, predominantly in care homes across England, {{org_field_name}} acknowledges its responsibility under environmental and social legislation, such as the Environment Act 2021, Climate Change Act 2008, Waste Regulations 2011, and The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, to protect and enhance the environment. Although our core business is not directly associated with industrial or high-pollution activities, we recognise that every organisation, regardless of size, has a role to play in promoting environmental sustainability. This policy outlines how {{org_field_name}}, its directors, temporary workers (including registered nurses and healthcare assistants), and administrative staff will adopt environmentally responsible behaviours and integrate sustainability into everyday working practices.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Directors and management of {{org_field_name}}
• All employees, agency workers, and contractors, including registered nurses and healthcare assistants working under zero-hours contracts
• Temporary workers deployed to client organisations, such as care homes, residential facilities, and healthcare settings
• All activities directly controlled by {{org_field_name}}, including administration, recruitment, training, travel, and communication

This policy covers both operational practices within the agency and the expected behaviours of temporary staff whilst representing {{org_field_name}} on assignment at client sites.

3. Related Policies

• Health and Safety Policy
• Infection Control Policy
• Training and Development Policy
• Code of Conduct for Temporary Workers
• Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy

4. Our Environmental Sustainability Commitments

4.1 Compliance with Environmental Legislation and Best Practice

{{org_field_name}} will comply with all applicable environmental legislation, regulations, and codes of practice, including but not limited to the Environment Act 2021, The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, and guidance from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) relating to sustainability and environmental management in care services. Directors are responsible for ensuring that all agency processes align with current and future legislative requirements. Directors and management will keep abreast of updates through training, professional networks, and sector guidance.

4.2 Promoting Sustainable Work Practices in the Office

Although {{org_field_name}} operates primarily as a staffing agency with limited physical infrastructure, our administrative operations will lead by example by:

• Reducing energy consumption through the responsible use of lighting, heating, ventilation, and office equipment, including setting energy-saving modes on computers and devices
• Ensuring that electrical equipment is switched off when not in use
• Minimising paper usage by adopting electronic documentation, digital signatures, and cloud-based systems where possible
• Encouraging a paperless office, with printing limited to essential documents only
• Using recyclable and sustainable office supplies wherever available
• Ensuring appropriate waste segregation and recycling

Management will monitor and review office energy bills, supply purchases, and waste collection to identify further opportunities to reduce consumption and environmental impact.

4.3 Sustainable Procurement

{{org_field_name}} will integrate environmental considerations into purchasing decisions. Directors will:

• Select suppliers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and can evidence sustainable practices
• Prioritise procurement of recycled, biodegradable, or sustainably sourced products, including stationery, cleaning materials, and promotional items
• Avoid unnecessary purchasing and ensure equipment is maintained and repaired rather than replaced wherever practicable
• Include sustainability criteria within supplier evaluation procedures

Temporary workers are expected to handle client property responsibly to minimise waste, avoid unnecessary use of consumables, and reduce environmental strain.

4.4 Travel and Transport Management

Given the nature of temporary staffing, travel is a key environmental consideration. {{org_field_name}} will:

• Promote the use of public transport, car-sharing, and other sustainable travel options for both administrative staff and temporary workers
• Encourage workers to accept assignments closer to their residence where feasible to reduce travel distance
• Facilitate virtual interviews, training, and meetings to reduce unnecessary travel
• Where agency-owned vehicles are used (if applicable), ensure that these are maintained to reduce emissions and are operated efficiently
• Advise temporary workers to comply with client site sustainability initiatives such as parking, waste management, and energy-saving measures during assignments

Directors will lead by example by adopting sustainable travel methods wherever possible and reviewing business travel regularly to minimise environmental impact.

4.5 Reducing Waste Generation

{{org_field_name}} will work towards reducing waste by:

• Implementing the waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Avoiding the use of single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials in agency operations
• Encouraging clients to engage in similar practices by discussing environmental responsibility during contract negotiations and service reviews
• Educating staff on proper waste segregation both in the agency and during client assignments, particularly regarding PPE disposal in healthcare settings, complying with infection prevention requirements and environmental laws

The directors will monitor waste reports from service providers and identify areas for further reduction and recycling.

4.6 Training and Awareness

All workers, including temporary workers, will receive induction and ongoing training on:

• The contents of this Environmental Sustainability Policy
• The environmental impacts of their work
• How to follow sustainable practices in day-to-day duties
• The importance of complying with client-specific sustainability procedures when on placement

Directors and senior management will be responsible for embedding environmental awareness into the wider company culture and ensuring that all workers understand their role in supporting sustainability.

4.7 Working with Clients and Stakeholders

{{org_field_name}} acknowledges that most of the environmental impact of its temporary workers occurs at client premises. We will:

• Work collaboratively with client organisations to promote environmentally sustainable practices
• Align our workers’ conduct with the environmental policies of the client site where applicable
• Share good practices and innovations relating to sustainability with our client organisations
• Support clients to meet the environmental requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

The directors will incorporate environmental criteria into service level agreements (SLAs) and review meetings with clients.

4.8 Continuous Improvement and Monitoring

{{org_field_name}} is committed to continual improvement. Directors will:

• Conduct annual reviews of this policy and supporting procedures
• Set measurable objectives related to reducing carbon footprint, improving procurement sustainability, and reducing waste
• Involve staff and temporary workers in identifying environmental improvements through feedback and suggestions
• Measure and monitor energy, water, waste, and travel patterns to inform decision-making
• Report annually on the agency’s environmental performance to internal and external stakeholders where appropriate

5. Director and Management Responsibilities

Directors are accountable for ensuring that:

• Environmental responsibilities are assigned within the management team
• All staff, including temporary workers, receive appropriate training
• Environmental objectives are integrated into the strategic and operational planning of the agency
• Regular audits and reviews are conducted to assess compliance with this policy
• Stakeholder engagement includes promoting sustainable practices to clients, suppliers, and contractors
• Necessary corrective actions are taken promptly when any aspect of this policy is not met

Management will ensure that sustainability is discussed at team meetings, supervision sessions, and in communication with client organisations to foster a shared responsibility for improving environmental outcomes.

6. Responsibilities of Temporary Workers

All temporary workers representing {{org_field_name}} are expected to:

• Adhere to this policy and promote sustainable practices while on assignment
• Comply with client organisation’s sustainability, waste, and energy-saving procedures
• Avoid unnecessary waste of resources, including food, water, energy, and medical supplies
• Report any environmental concerns or incidents to {{org_field_name}} and the client promptly
• Engage in training and development opportunities provided to enhance environmental awareness

Temporary workers who do not adhere to this policy may be subject to investigation under the Disciplinary Policy where relevant.

7. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by changes in legislation, client requirements, or the operational needs of {{org_field_name}}.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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