Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) & ESG Policy

1.1 Executive Statement & Zero-Tolerance Approach

SOS Group Services Ltd is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, human trafficking, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour in all their forms.

This statement is published pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the preventative actions and due diligence undertaken across our civil engineering, drainage, groundwork, and facilities management operations.

1.2 Organisational Structure & Direct Employment Model

Operating from our Solihull headquarters and depot since 1977, SOS Group Services provides multi-disciplinary contracting to municipal local authorities, healthcare trusts, commercial facilities managers, and private residential estates across the UK.

Our core risk mitigation strategy against modern slavery and illegal labour practices is our direct employment model. The vast majority of our tradespeople, plant machine operators, and drainage technicians are directly employed and vetted in-house. By retaining our workforce under permanent PAYE contracts, we deliberately eliminate the vulnerabilities, non-transparent payroll fees, and exploitation risks associated with multi-tiered casual agency labour and unregulated umbrella companies.

1.3 Workforce Due Diligence & Safeguarding Verification

We maintain strict recruitment and employment verification procedures prior to any operative setting foot on site:

1.4 Supply Chain & Subcontractor Standards

Where we procure materials (ready-mix concrete, aggregates, blue MDPE water piping, high-pressure jetting units) or engage specialist sub-tier contractors, we demand strict alignment with our ethical code of conduct:

• We partner exclusively with reputable, UK-based material suppliers who certify adherence to ethical labour standards.
• All sub-tier contractors must provide confirmation of legal employment practices and undergo rigorous CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) and SafeContractor health and safety pre-qualification audits.
• Any identified breach of modern slavery standards results in immediate termination of the commercial relationship.

1.5 Whistleblowing & Confidential Reporting Channels

We encourage all employees, clients, and suppliers to report any concerns or suspicions of unethical behaviour, exploitation, or modern slavery. Reports can be submitted confidentially to our senior management team or directly via the national UK Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

This statement is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and is approved as representing our continued commitment to ethical contracting.

1.6 Health, Safety Matrix & Continuous Professional Development

We maintain a dynamic, monitored training matrix ensuring all operational staff retain certified competencies:

2.1 Water Recycling in High-Pressure Jetting Operations

Traditional sewer jetting consumes thousands of litres of drinking water drawn from roadside hydrants. To preserve precious municipal water supplies, SOS Group Services deploys specialised combi-vacuum tankers equipped with continuous dirty-water recycling and micro-filtration systems.

By filtering and reusing wastewater on-site during large-diameter culvert clearance and commercial interceptor descaling, we reduce potable water draw by up to 75% while simultaneously eliminating unproductive vehicle trips to replenish water tanks, cutting fuel burn and traffic congestion.

2.2 Spoil & Aggregate Diversion from Landfill (Circular Economy)

Groundwork excavation and deep drainage trenching inherently generate heavy volumes of subsoil, asphalt, hardcore, and concrete. We enforce strict adherence to the WRAP Quality Protocol for Recycled Aggregates:

• On-Site Segregation & In-Situ Crushing: Excavated masonry and concrete are segregated at source and, where site constraints permit, crushed on-site for immediate reuse as certified 6F2 or Type 1 sub-base fill.
• >90% Landfill Diversion Rate: Clean inert soils and spoil are redirected to local permitted land reclamation schemes rather than municipal landfill.
• Upper-Tier Waste Carrier: SOS Group Services holds a valid Environment Agency Upper-Tier Waste Carrier Licence, ensuring full electronic Duty of Care transfer notes (EDOC) for every waste consignment.

2.3 Responsible Polymer Disposal & Pipe Recycling

When replacing failed water supplies and unblocking or repairing drains, our engineering teams handle large quantities of piping. We enforce strict segregation protocols:

2.4 Low-Impact Trenchless Engineering (Impact Moling & CIPP)

Traditional open-trench utility excavation requires intensive diesel excavators, heavy import of quarried backfill gravel, tarmacadam repaving, and disruptive road closures.

Whenever technically feasible, SOS Group Services prioritises pneumatic impact moling for clean water mains and cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) relining for cracked sewer pipes. These trenchless techniques reduce embodied carbon, protect mature tree root protection zones, preserve paved driveways, and prevent local traffic gridlock.

2.5 Fleet Route Optimisation & Clean Air Zone Compliance

• 100% Euro 6 Compliant Fleet: All commercial service vans and high-pressure jetting vehicles comply fully with the Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones across the UK.
• GPS Telematics & Smart Dispatch: Our cloud dispatch platform tracks all field engineers live, assigning emergency callouts to the nearest qualified technician to eradicate wasted transit mileage and reduce engine idling.
• Fleet Electrification Transition: Phased adoption of pure battery electric (EV) vans for supervisory, drone survey, and light maintenance teams across the urban West Midlands.

2.6 Environmental Management System (ISO 14001 Alignment)

Our operations are structured around the continuous improvement framework of ISO 14001. This includes bunded chemical and fuel storage at our Solihull depot, fully equipped emergency hydrocarbon spill kits on every mobile van, and digital paperless job management via engineer mobile tablets.

3.1 Local Hiring in Solihull & West Midlands Supply Chain Priority

In direct compliance with the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, we target maximum retention of procurement spend within the regional economy:

• Over 85% of our directly employed workforce resides within a 20-mile radius of our Solihull headquarters.
• When procuring aggregates, tarmacadam, readymix concrete, and plant hire, we prioritise independent merchants and specialist suppliers based in Solihull, Birmingham, and Warwickshire.
• We operate strict prompt-payment terms for all small and medium-sized local subcontractors (SMEs) to protect regional cashflow.

3.2 Trade Apprenticeships & Civil Engineering Skills Development

Addressing the UK construction and civil engineering skills shortage requires proactive investment in young talent. SOS Group Services actively sponsors vocational apprenticeships in groundworks, civil utilities, and drainage engineering in collaboration with regional colleges and the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board).

Apprentices are paired with veteran site foremen, acquiring practical, safety-critical experience in machine excavation, confined spaces protocols, pipe jointing, and laser-guided grading.

3.3 Health, Safety & Zero-Harm Site Standards

Protecting our operatives, our clients, and the general public is an uncompromising imperative. We operate under a rigorous “Zero-Harm” philosophy governed by:

3.4 Grassroots Sports Sponsorship & Charitable Partnerships

We believe that strong businesses must reinvest directly into local civic life. Our active community partnerships include:

3.5 Annual Paid Community Volunteering Day

Every directly employed member of SOS Group Services is entitled to one full paid working day per calendar yeardedicated to volunteering with a registered charity, community group, youth sports club, or local conservation trust. Operatives have contributed time to canal clean-ups, Birmingham food banks, and elderly residential garden maintenance.