National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
If a person/family is in immediate danger always call 999.
If an adult, child or family is identified as a potential victim of trafficking or Modern Day slavery:
- refer to the routes below;
- and relevant contacts.
Refer any children to Children's Social Care (MAST) if:
- you have additional safeguarding concerns in relation to the care they receive from their parent/carers;
- or you have concerns that the children are not related to the adults and are therefore unaccompanied minors.
Note: Always refer unaccompanied minors to MAST:
- Phone: (01422) 393336 (in normal working hours).
Adult or Family Victim
Referral to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
- All potential adult victims must give consent to go through the NRM.
Only First Responders make referrals to this process. All Police Officers and Council officers are First Responders.
- Local Authority Initial Point of Contact should be notified of the potential referral. If you have consent inform the Police on 101.
- If you are a First Responder and you have consent, complete a NRM.
- Visit: Modern slavery victims: referral (GOV.UK) to download a form.
- If you are not a First Responder, the Police or the Council can send this form in for you.
- First Responders send this form to NCA Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit:
- Email: nrm@nca.x.gsi.gov.uk.
- The referral is then considered by a Competent Authority. This will be the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit or the Home Office UK Visa and Immigration UKVI. They will give a 'reasonable grounds' decision.
- While waiting for the decision, CMBC Housing will accommodate the person/family for up to 5 days.
- Food/toiletries fund can be accessed via the Emergency Hardship Fund at St Augustine's Centre:
- Phone: (01422) 352492.
- A referral should now be made to Adults, Health and Social Care:
- Phone: (01422) 393000.
- Food/toiletries fund can be accessed via the Emergency Hardship Fund at St Augustine's Centre:
If a decision is negative
The Council's Housing Options Team may be able to provide a place to stay short-term. This will depend on a persons' circumstances.
If the decision is positive
The person/family can have 45 days support , which includes housing.
They will be collected by the Salvation Army and taken to a place of safety, normally the same day. At this point, a caseworker will be allocated.
If collection is delayed AHSC should be contacted.
If the adult/family does not give consent to enter the NRM
A form (MS1) must still be completed, but anonymised. The Local Authority has a duty to notify the Home Office of any suspected victim they come across. (Section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.)
For more details, visit: (GOV.UK) Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims.
Child(ren) Under 18 years
Unaccompanied children considered to be trafficked or a victim of modern slavery should be referred to Children's Social Care (CSC). This is to make sure there are no immediate safeguarding concerns.
- Refer via the Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST):
- Phone: (01422) 393336.
- Follow up in writing within 48 hours using a Referral Form.
- If the case is open, discuss your concerns with the allocated social worker. CSC will complete NRM (if needed) within five working days.
- Any Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) case will be discussed and agreed via the CSE Hub. (Police or CSC will complete the form within five working days.)
Important: Safeguarding processes and actions take priority.
Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery Decision Making Table
| Action | Means | Purpose | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Trafficking | Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons. This can be internal movement or cross border. |
(There does not need to be a means used for children as they are not able to give informed consent.) |
To exploit a person for benefit, such as:
|
| Slavery, Servitude, Forced or Compulsory Labour | Not needed for action to have been taken to bring person into the situation. |
A person is held in a situation through:
(There does not need to be a means used for children as they are not able to give informed consent.) |
To compel another to act in a way that amounts to slavery, servitude or forced/compulsory labour. |
Contact
Out of hours
(Between 5pm and 9am on Bank Holidays and weekends.)
- West Yorkshire Police are the First Responders and can be contacted by calling 101.
- The person/family will be kept safe. As soon as they can, the Police will refer any adult/family to the Emergency Duty Team (EDT). This is to access emergency shelter.
- If the adult/family's decision/collection is delayed, the EDT will refer to Adult Social Care as a vulnerable adult. This will be to consider if ongoing services are needed while waiting for a NRM decision/action.
If the adult/family will not consent to Police involvement:
- Phone: 0800 0121 700, the Modern Slavery 24/7 Helpline.
- Visit: Modern slavery and exploitation helpline (Unseen).
Calderdale Council Initial Point of Contact for information and advice:
MDS Calderdale Council Initial Point of Contact for Children:
- Children's Social Care, Early Intervention and Safeguarding.
- Email: MAST@calderdale.gov.uk@calderdale.gov.uk.
- Phone: (01422) 393000.
MDS Point of contact Adults:
- Adult Social Care.
- Email: gatewaytocare@calderdale.gov.uk.
- Phone: (01422) 393861.
UK National Information and Advice
For independent expert advice, contact Hope For Justice:
- Phone: 0300 008 8000 (local rate call).
- Email: info.uk@hopeforjustice.org.