Training & Resources > Modern Slavery

Duty to Notify the Home Office of Potential Victims of Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act introduced a duty on specified public authorities to notify the Secretary of State of any individual encountered in England and Wales who they believe is a suspected victim of human slavery or trafficking. The duty applies to all police forces, local authorities, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the National Crime Agency. Other organisations, including NGOs, are also encouraged to put forward notifications where they encounter a potential victim of modern slavery who does not want to enter the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). 

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support.

A new digital system has been built to help support the NRM process and to make it easier for first responders to refer victims for support.  The online referral system is to be used for referrals into the NRM and for Duty to Notify referrals (DtN). Only staff at designated first responders organisations can make referrals.  The difference between an NRM referral and a DtN referral relates to the consent of the adult involved.  Visit the gov.uk website for further information on the NRM.

For help and advice regarding 'duty to notify' and Modern Slavery support agencies please see our Help & Advice around Modern Slavery Page.


Useful Resources

Modern Slavery Act : http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/contents/enacted

Tackling Modern Slavery: A Council Guide: https://www.local.gov.uk/modern-slavery-council-guide

University of Nottingham Rights Lab: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/index.aspx

Anti-Slavery Partnership Toolkit: https://iasctoolkit.nottingham.ac.uk/

Skills for Care: Modern Slavery (skillsforcare.org.uk)

Part 4 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 sets out the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner: Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner - The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (antislaverycommissioner.co.uk)

unseen(UK) Working towards a world without slavery.

Medaille Trust is currently the largest provider of supported safe house beds for victims of modern slavery in the UK. 

National Crime Agency - The National Crime Agency leads the UK’s fight to cut serious and organised crime, protecting the public by targeting and pursuing those criminals who pose the greatest risk to the UK.  

The Human Trafficking Foundation grew out of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.

The Helen Bamber Foundation is a human rights organisation working with survivors of cruelty.

The NSPCC Child Trafficking Advice Centre can provide further advice for professionals worried that a young person may be a victim of trafficking via their helpline: 0808 800 5000.

NHS Health Education England provides e-learning courses for general practice (e-GP) on promoting equality and valuing diversity, safeguarding children and young people, and women’s health.


Local Agencies

STREETLIGHT UK – www.streetlight.uk.com Sex worker outreach project team based in Brighton covering the South East region.  01293 364550 / info@streetlight.uk.com

BRITISH RED CROSS – www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/modern-slavery-and-trafficking  Local contact: Tina Knight: Tinaknight@redcross.org.uk

ADORED HASTINGS – Sex worker outreach project for Hastings
hello@adoredhastings.org

KINGS CHURCH HASTINGS – https://kings1066.org/modern-slavery/ Christian charity assistance (also covers Eastbourne area) 
hello@kings1066.org / 01424 755990

DISCOVERY – Multi-agency modern slavery unit – one contact for all Government agencies
Discovery@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Mon-Fri support
Dial 101 for Sussex Police and ask for Discovery 
In an emergency dial 999
 

 

Members of the Safer Communities Partnership