This blog discusses the prevalence of Modern Slavery in the UK, including how we can spot the signs and respond to this hidden crime.

In the UK, there is a significant issue with modern slavery, despite efforts from multiple agencies to combat the situation. As of 2023, the Home Office identified over 17,000 victims of modern slavery, which is a rise from previous years. 

What is modern slavery? 

Modern slavery is an exploitative form of human trafficking, which involves using and manipulating individuals for profit. It can include many different types of exploitation including: 

• Forced labour – where people are forced to work for others with little or no pay. This is often in harsh, unsafe or dangerous conditions.  

• Sexual exploitation – where individuals are forced into prostitution, or to carry out sex acts for the benefit or financial gain of others. This can include sextortion, where victims are blackmailed with exposure of sexually explicit images if they do not comply.  

• Criminal exploitation – which is the use of individuals for profit or other gain, often through coercion, deception, or threats. This can include county lines, a type of drug trafficking-often exploiting young and vulnerable people.  

• Domestic servitude – where people are forced to work as domestic servants in private homes, often under abusive conditions. 

Modern slavery is often referred to as a ‘hidden crime’ as it can take place in plain sight and because victims are often reluctant to come forward due to fear of repercussions. 

Who is most at risk? 

Modern slavery can affect anyone but some groups in society are more vulnerable. It is essential that education staff are aware of not only the signs, but who could be most at risk.

In the UK, the more vulnerable groups include: 

Migrants or people new to the UK: People who have migrated to the UK may be more susceptible, particularly those who have entered the country illegally. They may be more vulnerable to exploitation due to their immigration status or need for means to be able to stay in the country (housing, money etc). 

Children and young people: As with all exploitation, children and young people can be more susceptible. This could be as they can be more easily controlled or manipulated, but also due to a naivety and not realising associated dangers.  

People with disabilities or learning difficulties: People in this group can be more vulnerable to exploitation due to limited mobility, communication skills or general understanding. This could also include exploitation of housing, which is known as cuckooing, or exploitation of income such as benefits.  

Those experiencing hardship or crisis: People who are experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, or other crises may be more likely to be exploited due to their desperation. 

Other factors that could make people more vulnerable can also include isolation, debt, lack of awareness or fear. 

What signs might you see? 

As with any safeguarding issue, there is no set checklist for spotting the signs and symptoms of modern slavery and many of the signs can crossover with other concerns, so staff do need to use their professional curiosity to explore signs and understand the child’s lived experience.  

Some of the signs to look out for could include, but are not limited to: 

Physical signs	Behavioural signs	Situational signs
Malnutrition or poor hygiene  Unexplained injuries or scars  Lack of access to medical care  Restricted movement or confinement	Fearful or submissive behaviour  Reluctance to talk about their living situation or what they do outside of school  Lack of control over their own finances or passport  Working excessive hours outside of school for little or no pay	Living in overcrowded or squalid home conditions  Having little freedom of movement  Working long hours outside of school  Being constantly monitored or supervised or unable to leave their residence or leave school unsupervised   Have a history with missing links and unexplained house/location moves

Responding to suspected modern slavery: 

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, you should contact the police on 999.

If you’re worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you need to follow your setting’s safeguarding procedures.  The local authority should be notified through a referral and they will undertake an assessment.  

If you are unsure whether to report, speak to your local MASH or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700. 

Schools and education settings have a duty to support children who are victims of modern slavery. This can be done by: 

• Providing a Safe Space:

Children who have been trafficked (this can be from one location to another within the UK, or Internationally) may struggle to disclose their experiences, often providing inconsistent or fabricated accounts. Some traffickers may even coach victims on stories to tell authorities.

These children may feel guilty or ashamed about the abuse they’ve endured, and their fear of adults, authorities, repercussions for themselves and loved ones, community judgment, prosecution, deportation, and the lingering effects of ritualistic abuse can further hinder them from speaking out.

Therefore, they should have trusted adults within your setting and know who they can talk to. 

• Offering Counselling and Support Services:

Schools and education settings can support victims of modern slavery by providing access to in school pastoral support as well as professional counsellors who can offer emotional support, guidance, and information about available resources.

Additionally, schools can connect students with organisations that specialise in supporting victims of modern slavery.

• Promoting Awareness and Education:

The curriculum plays a crucial role in raising awareness of modern slavery by incorporating lessons about the topic into a range of subjects and encouraging students to participate in activities and campaigns that promote understanding and challenge stereotypes.

• Collaborating with External Agencies:

Schools can further support victims of modern slavery by collaborating with local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and anti-trafficking organizations such as the Salvation Army, Unseen UK and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

By developing protocols for reporting suspected cases of modern slavery and coordinating responses, schools can ensure that victims receive the timely support they require. 

• Signposting to parents:

Sometimes it may be the parent who is the victim of modern slavery, and the child may be impacted as a result. By signposting to agencies, charities or other organisations, parents may be able to seek support – especially if they do not feel comfortable opening up to someone in school.  

Summary

Fundamentally, Schools play a crucial role in identifying and supporting children who may be victims of modern slavery.

Educators are often in a unique position to observe children on a daily basis and may notice signs of exploitation or abuse and therefore are in a position to take action, seek help and improve the situation for the child.  

At Services For Education, we help equip schools and colleges with the necessary resources and learning programmes that can help them manage safeguarding most effectively in their settings. 

If you wish to receive more information about our resources, bespoke staff training or safeguarding audits, please contact us at [email protected]  

About The Author

Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education

Lucie Welch has worked in the field of Primary Education for the last 15 years, holding the positions of Assistant Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Through working across several local authorities and within multi-academy trusts, Lucie has garnered a passion for safeguarding and supporting children and young people to enable them to thrive.

At Services For Education, Lucie is an integral part of the Safeguarding team, sharing her expertise with schools, colleges, trusts, and other educational settings across the city of Birmingham and beyond. Dedicated to improving safeguarding practices in an actionable and impactful way, Lucie works closely with settings to provide bespoke training, supports with reflection on their own practices during Safeguarding audits and always strives to contribute to a better learning environment for all children. Through delivery of statutory training for DSLs and Safer Recruitment, Lucie works with colleagues in all age ranges and is a source of expertise within these areas.

Lucie also wears other important hats within the School Support Team. Not only is she dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of students through her role in safeguarding, but she also plays a key part in the PSHE/RSE and Health for Life teams. Additionally, Lucie partners with the Best Practice Network to deliver the Early Career Framework, supporting new teachers in their professional development.