REPORTING CRITERION 2

The strategic goal is supported by a series of values to guide decision making processes for CES Ltd schools and offices.

Responsibility – In our mission as a Catholic faith community, we are committed to seeking ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible procurement as we strive to make a positive impact on the global climate and environment, support First Nations communities and abolish Modern Slavery throughout our supply chain.

Integrity - CES Ltd and Service Providers will observe the highest standards of ethics and integrity in undertaking procurement activities. All purchasing activities will comply with relevant legislation, regulations and CES Ltd policies. Service Providers will be treated fairly, respectfully and free from bias.

Clarity – We will drive transparency and accountability to support open, success-driven and respectful partnerships with our Service Providers. We strive for success with our partnerships because when our Service Providers succeed, CES Ltd and our school communities will thrive!

Community – CES Ltd greatly values our local communities and is committed to supporting and fostering prosperity with local businesses across the Sandhurst region. CES Ltd adopts Social Procurement practices to actively promote accessibility and inclusion across our Supply Chain seeking to create a positive influence and opportunities within local communities to support growth for First Nations communities, inclusion of all genders and sexualities and opportunities for Victorians with disabilities.

Balance - CES Ltd determines “the Best Value” for goods and services to balance cost, service, quality, reliability, innovation, ethics, sustainability and value alignment.

Operational Risks

CES Ltd faces various operational risks that can have a significant impact on the organisation’s reputation and operations. One of the most critical operational risks is modern slavery, which is a grave violation of human rights that affects millions of people globally. CES Ltd has continued its partnership with the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN), allowing CES Ltd to establish a robust relationship that will continue to assist us to identify and assess risks within the organisation, reducing the chance of modern slavery practices within our supply chains.

The modern slavery operational risks outline three key areas that CES Ltd and SCECE&C Ltd need to consider to identify and address modern slavery risks within the organisation. These areas include supplier engagement, supply chain mapping, and due diligence.

Service Provider and Supplier engagement is a crucial component of modern slavery risk management within CES Ltd. Service Providers and Suppliers can pose a significant risk if they engage in unethical practices such as forced labour or human trafficking or unknowingly procure goods from high-risk international regions.

By engaging with Service Providers and Suppliers and ensuring that they adhere to ethical standards, CES Ltd can reduce the exposure to modern slavery risks. CES Ltd will also continue to encourage and support our schools with their Supply Chain in taking steps to mitigate modern slavery risks within their own supply chains.

Supply chain Category Mapping is another critical aspect of modern slavery risk management that CES Ltd will continue to explore. The aim is to have a comprehensive understanding of our supply chains and identify any areas where modern slavery risks may exist. This includes identifying countries or industries that are at high risk for modern slavery and understanding the risks associated with specific products or services. Working towards categorising and mapping supply chains will enable CES Ltd Procurement & Contracts team to develop effective strategies to mitigate modern slavery risks and ensure that our organisation is not contributing to this issue.

Due diligence is the final area that CES Ltd will continue to focus on educating and supporting our staff, schools and SCECE&C Ltd centres to manage the operational risks associated with modern slavery. This includes reviewing Service Provider, Contractor and Goods & Services contracts and high expenditure goods and materials purchases, as the organisation become more resourced and mature in this area, assessing their labour practices, and monitoring their compliance with ethical standards.

With the support of the CES Ltd Board and the Child Safety, Audit and Risk Committee, CES Ltd has a Risk Management Framework that defines our risk operating model, appetite, responsibilities, and methodology. This Framework supports the approach to managing modern slavery risks through