Updated: National referral mechanism guidance for adults updated to reflect change from UKVI and NCA competent authorities to the Single Competent Authority, changes to support and introduction of Independent Child Trafficking Advocates.
AnnouncementThree new measures to improve the way in which victims of modern slavery are identified and supported have been announced, following a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Modern Slavery Taskforce.
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) - the system by which victims of modern slavery are identified and provided with support - will be reformed to improve both the decision-making process and support offered. The first measures to be announced, as part of a broader package of reforms which will be announced in due course, include:
a single, expert unit will be created in the Home Office to handle all cases referred from front line staff and to make decisions about whether somebody is a victim of modern slavery. This will replace the current case management units in the National Crime Agency and UK Visas and Immigration and will be completely separate from the immigration system
an independent panel of experts will be introduced to review all negative decisions, adding significantly to the scrutiny such cases currently receive
a new digital system to support the NRM process will be introduced, making it easier for those on the frontline to refer victims for support and enabling data to be captured and analysed to better aid prevention and law enforcement
This announcement does not change the referral process and you should continue using the relevant referral form (as provided above).
The national referral mechanism (NRM) is a victim identification and support process. The NRM is designed to make it easier for all agencies that could be involved in a trafficking case (eg the police, UK Visas and Immigration, local authorities, non-governmental organisations) to share information about potential victims and facilitate their access to advice, accommodation and support.
The guidance document gives information on:
what the NRM is the referral process how to complete the referral formsIf you want to refer a potential victim of modern slavery to the NRM, download the forms above.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/human-trafficking-victims-referral-and-assessment-forms
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