Human Trafficking: Children

(asked on 19th May 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the National Referral Mechanism for protecting children that are victims of (a) human trafficking and (b) modern slavery.


Answered by
Victoria Atkins Portrait
Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
This question was answered on 2nd June 2020

Modern slavery is an umbrella term which includes trafficking, slavery and forced or compulsory labour.

The Government is committed to providing all child victims of modern slavery the support they need by ensuring the effectiveness of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). While referrals are made to the NRM – our system for identifying, supporting and protecting victims, the support they need is provided by Local Authorities under their safeguarding responsibilities.

The safety and welfare of all child victims, irrespective of whether they have experienced slavery and/ or trafficking, are addressed as the priority. Local authorities are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area. If a child in the NRM becomes looked after, they will be entitled to the same level of support and care as all looked after children regardless of their nationality or immigration status. Local children's services will work in close co-operation with the police and other statutory agencies to offer potential child victims of modern slavery the protection and support they require.

In addition to this statutory support, the Government has expanded Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) to one third of local authorities in England and Wales. ICTGs are an additional source of advice and support for all potential child victims of modern slavery, irrespective of nationality, and somebody who can advocate on their behalf.

In October 2017, the Government announced an ambitious package of reforms to the NRM. These reforms enable the NRM to deliver quicker and more certain decision-making that stakeholders and victims have confidence in; improved support for adult victims before, during and after the NRM; improved identification of victims; and improved support to child victims of modern slavery. More information on the NRM reform is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-referral-mechanism-reform/national-referral-mechanism-reform

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