Guidance

Modern slavery training: resource page

Updated 2 September 2021

1. Aim

Modern slavery is a heinous and often hidden crime. It includes slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. The impact can be devastating for the victims.

In 2016, 3,805 potential victims were identified and referred in the UK. In the year to March 2017 the police in England and Wales recorded 2,255 modern slavery crimes. However, many more crimes and victims go undetected.

This resource is designed to share examples of training products available to public sector professionals and other individuals that might come across victims to help raise awareness, better spot the signs and increase confidence in reporting modern slavery when potential cases are encountered.

Increased awareness and reporting helps law enforcement to tackle the perpetrators of modern slavery as well as protecting victims.

This resource contains basic awareness raising materials. For many professionals more advanced or bespoke training will be appropriate and the materials here are not intended to be the extent of the training required by any sector.

If you have documents or material you would like to be included in this resource, please email ModernSlaveryUnit_DL@homeoffice.gov.uk.

2. Home Office guide: raising awareness of modern slavery

This modern slavery awareness booklet provides an up-to-date, easy to read resource setting out some of the key facts about modern slavery. It may help inform staff as part of a wider awareness raising programme.

Topics covered include:

  • the definition of modern slavery and the prevalent types in the UK
  • spotting the signs of modern slavery
  • victims and barriers to reporting

To supplement this, Home Office research ‘A typology of modern slavery offences in the UK’ has broken down the broad categories of modern slavery into 17 distinct types of offences identified in the UK. A more in-depth understanding of the different ways the offence manifests itself can be crucial for staff involved in developing toolkits for frontline staff or the operational response for their organisation.

3. Training and awareness raising resources

All public sector professionals

Whilst many professionals will need training specific to their role (and more information by sector is below) there are some awareness raising materials that will provide a basic level of understanding for all professionals. Even staff that may only rarely be in situations where they might come across modern slavery can benefit from a basic understanding of what to look for.

Videos

Training materials

The UK Training Delivery Group, comprising representatives from a range of government agencies and NGOs with a role in tackling modern slavery, has produced a suite of materials aimed at all public sector workers to raise awareness of modern slavery. Details of how to access these materials can be obtained by contacting Kim Ann Williamson, Civil Service Local, Cymru Wales: kimann.williamson@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Anti-Slavery Partnership Toolkit

Nottingham University, in partnership with the Office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner have developed the Anti-Slavery Partnership Toolkit.

This toolkit will assist organisations to work in closer partnership, promote consistency, good practice and develop resources.

The Anti-Slavery Partnership Toolkit can be accessed on Nottingham University’s website.

E-learning

Border Force offer two free e-learning courses on modern slavery and human trafficking:

  1. A 45-minute human trafficking awareness e-learning course for overseas law enforcement and other stakeholders. This course can be used in any region of the world to help frontline staff understand, identify and respond effectively to human trafficking at the border.
  2. A 30-minute e-learning course for travel industry staff and other stakeholders on how to spot the signs of modern slavery. This course is specifically for situations relating to people travelling to and from the UK, and how to refer concerns to UK Border Force or the police.

Both courses are easy to use and provide clear guidance to anyone with an interest in preventing modern slavery and human trafficking.

Leaflets

The Home Office guide at section 2 provides an overview of the main facts on modern slavery and how to spot the signs.

Posters and other promotional material, some in multiple languages aimed at victims or communities with a high prevalence of victims, are available in the modern slavery collection

Police and other law enforcement

The College of Policing recently introduced two new courses for police and other law enforcement officers – an awareness raising course to ensure more frontline officers can spot the signs of modern slavery, and a 4 day specialist investigator training course, to help investigators bring perpetrators to justice. This training can be accessed by a range of law enforcement organisations, not just police forces, via the College of Policing.

The College of Policing training supplements a range of other training products already in place, including e-learning for police officers and local force led initiatives, for example live simulation training (Hydra).

  • the Police Transformation Unit at Devon and Cornwall Police can provide advice and lend expertise to other police forces on tackling modern slavery
  • the Police Transformation Unit or the College of Policing can advise police forces on the training available to frontline officers and investigators
  • e-learning for police officers can be accessed through the ENCALT website
  • the Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner (IASC) has produced a video for all emergency services staff on spotting the signs of modern slavery www.antislaverycommissioner.co.uk/resources

Enforcement powers guide

The National Network Coordinators Forum (NNCF) and the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit (MSOIC) have produced a National Enforcement Powers Guide, which supports the continued collaboration between law enforcement partners and non-governmental organisations.

This guide is an important tool that sets out the powers of law enforcement agencies and the roles and responsibilities of all partners involved in tackling modern slavery. It also supports the government’s work to ensure all victims are provided with support they need and offenders are prosecuted.

This guide can be accessed on the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Programme website.

Labour Exploitation: spot the signs

This Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority document includes information on modern slavery, trafficking and forced labour. You can also find information on what signs to look for such as behaviours, working conditions and victim appearance. It also gives guidance on practical ‘do’s & don’ts’ when working with potential victims.

Report from the Chartered Institute of Building on modern slavery within the building industry - Construction and the Modern Slavery Act: tackling exploitation in the UK

Local authorities

The Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner (IASC) has produced a video for all local authority staff on spotting the signs of modern slavery.

South East England councils have produced a region specific version of the IASC video, and accompanying notes with advice on how to use the video as part of wider training:

The London Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), in conjunction with police and health partners, commissioned (on behalf of the London Safeguarding Adult Board) International Organization for Migration and Stop the Traffik to produce an e-learning course for local authorities, and a range of classroom based training materials designed for local authorities and other agencies. These can be accessed free of charge through the London ADASS website.

The Local Government Association (LGA) and the independent anti-slavery commissioner, Kevin Hyland, have published Modern slavery: a council guide.

As well as providing an overview of modern slavery and the forms it takes, the guidance offers a detailed methodology for councils to deploy in identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery.

Modern slavery protocol for local authorities

Together with the London working group, the Human Trafficking Foundation has produced a protocol for local authorities containing several resources to help improve their response to human trafficking and modern slavery, in particular the identification and support offered to adult survivors.

Definitions and Indicators: how to identify a victim of human trafficking or modern slavery

Statutory Duties and Powers: The NRM and a Local Authority’s statutory duties to identify and support victims of human trafficking and modern slavery

Referral Pathway for adult victims and NRM process guide

If you have any questions or would like any more information, please contact tamara@humantraffickingfoundation.org.

Health

The government’s approach is focused on ensuring all healthcare staff are able to identify individuals who may be victims of trafficking, and to respond in an appropriate manner. This includes understanding ways in which healthcare staff can provide support to those who may be victims.

Helplines

Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or online at: www.modernslaveryhelpline.org provides information and advice about modern slavery, a 24 hour telephone reporting line, online reporting through the website, and can provide training to public sector organisations on modern slavery.

Disclaimer and licensing

External links were selected, reviewed and identified as suitable materials for raising awareness on modern slavery when this page was published, however, the Home Office is not responsible for the content of external websites. Many other suitable training materials exist which are not displayed here; the page is not intended to be exhaustive.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.