Human rights & social issues: Social issues, additional safeguarding assurance

We believe being a responsible investor does not mean avoiding more challenging areas of investment, particularly those where it has the potential to make a very positive difference. For example businesses providing health and social care for vulnerable patients and users. Some of our investments include areas such as acute special-needs education, fostering and providing care for patients with serious eating disorders.

We take a robust approach to engaging with the managers to gain comfort on:
• the nature of the investment being done
• how the manager intends to drive improvements in the outcomes of the services those businesses are providing
• the heightened nature of due diligence done on these businesses given their vulnerable patient base; and
• the way in which managers are maintaining ongoing monitoring of the care-standards and any ongoing safeguarding measures in place.

Levers of control will vary depending on whether they are lending to the business or if they are the controlling owner. However, we consistently engage to ensure that we are comfortable that the manager has a grasp on the seriousness with which we expect them to continue to centre patient welfare and patient outcomes throughout the life of their involvement with these businesses.