HTF Advisory Forum Newsletter 13th November

Posted on 13 November 2024

Human Trafficking Foundation – Advisory Forum Newsletter View this email in your browser

Advisory Forum Newsletter   This newsletter is an opportunity for Human Trafficking Foundation (HTF) Forum members to publicise events, projects, research, campaigns and job opportunities. You can see recordings or download minutes of our previous events here.  This fortnightly newsletter goes out to over 1,600 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected].     Announcements Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2025 to 2026: Call for Evidence The Director of Labour Market Enforcement Margaret Beels OBE has launched her Call for Evidence for the 2025/26 Labour Market Enforcement Strategy. Areas covered in this call include Employment Rights Enforcement Priorities and Governance, Communication and Engagement, Resourcing and Prioritisation, and Moving towards a Fair Work Agency. More information and how to submit your evidence here. Deadline: Friday 13th December. Progressing the Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® (IMSA) Project  Hope for Justice, the British Red Cross and The Snowdrop Project are pleased to share an update on the Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® (IMSA) Project. Updates include developing a new IMSA qualification, welcoming new team members and the first co-opted board member, SOHTIS. Read the update here.       Reports and Publications National Referral Mechanism Quarter 3 2024 Statistics Published The Home Office has published the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and Duty to Notify Statistics for the third quarter of 2024. The statistics provide a breakdown of the number of potential victims of modern slavery referred into the NRM. 4,758 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office from July to September 2024, representing a 10% increase compared to the period from April to June 2024. View the data here. MSOIC Unit Investigations Overview September 2024 The Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit have published their Non-LEA Overview of Live Modern Slavery Investigations in UK Policing for October 2024. This document is produced to help inform the work that non-law enforcement agencies are doing in response to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Read the data here. Taking Vulnerabilities to Labour Exploitation Seriously This open access book by Letizia Palumbo intends to contribute to the debate on migrant labour exploitation by exploring the extent to which the EU and the European countries provide a standard for protecting migrant workers. It highlights how situations of vulnerability to exploitation are generated and exacerbated by relevant legal and policy frameworks. Access the book here. Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking: The Legal Issues, Challenges and Barriers Written by Matthew Davis, this book examines the present challenges associated with identifying victims of trafficking. The book emphasises the need for a victim centred approach to the issue of identification and outlines the challenges associated with individuals self-identifying as victims. Find out more and buy a copy here.     Events & Training. Knowledge Sharing Sessions The Human Trafficking Foundation is hosting a series of Knowledge Sharing sessions for the anti-slavery sector. If you have a topic of expertise that you would like to share, or if there is a topic that you would like to learn about, please contact Divya. Upcoming sessions: Compensation Claims for Survivors of Exploitation (Hugh James Solicitors) 3rd December 12pm-1pm Report launch: The Forgotten Third, improving conditions for migrant carers The Work Rights Centre is hosting an online launch of their research report The Forgotten Third, examining the working conditions of migrant care workers in England’s adult social care sector. As successive governments have looked to plug labour shortages, as many as 32% of care workers in England are now migrants. However, they face major barriers to sustainable and fair employment, including exploitation, fraud, and abuse. The report examines these barriers, and the reforms needed to address them. 3pm-4pm Thursday 14th November. Book your spot here. Catch 22 Webinar Series Catch 22 County Lines and Support and rescue service are carrying out a series of webinars for parents and carers only. The sessions seek to gain an understanding on the important issues surrounding county lines, as well as the impact that it can have on young people and their families, and the support that is available to young people who are impacted by criminal exploitation. Available sessions are available to book from 6pm-7.30pm Monday 18th November, 12pm-1.30pm Thursday 21st November and 6pm-7pm Thursday 21st November. An additional webinar ‘County Lines and the Mental Health Journey of a Young Person’, 1.30pm-3pm Tuesday 26th November is also available to book here.     Vacancies Medical Justice Medical Justice use medical evidence to work towards lasting change through research, policy work, and strategic litigation. They are currently offering a paid Casework Traineeship for people with lived experience of the UK asylum and immigration system and/or immigration detention in the UK. (Deadline: Sunday 17th November). Find out more and apply here. Mentorship Opportunity in Partnership with BASNET for Research on Modern Slavery and Race Equality BASNET (the UK BME Anti-Slavery Network) is an anti-slavery network focused on making anti-trafficking and slavery policies more inclusive by amplifying BME voices. They are currently looking for experienced researchers with an interest in modern slavery, human trafficking and/or race equality, diversity and inclusion in research. (Deadline: Friday 29th November). Find out more and apply here.   The Clewer Initiative The Clewer Initiative works in partnership with cathedrals across the country to raise awareness of modern slavery and engage local communities with anti-slavery projects. They are currently looking to appoint an interim Director. To find out more about the role and how to apply, email here. Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) FLEX work to bring about change by carrying out research, influencing policy, engaging businesses, running training programmes, and working together with workers and other organisations. They are currently recruiting for an Operations Assistant (Deadline: Monday 25th November). Find out more and apply here.  Causeway/Bright Future Co-operative Causeway provides frontline support to survivors of modern slavery and operates the Bright Future Co-operative, which is a fast-tracked supported employment programme for survivors. They are currently recruiting for a Placement and Partnerships Officer. (Deadline: Wednesday 20th November). Find out more and apply here.     HTF Resources   Office furniture available  The Human Trafficking Foundation is clearing out some office furniture and has a desk in the style of David Lindley handcrafted in sycamore/sandalwood plus two free standing grey extension cabinets (some wear & tear). Collect and reassemble from London SE1 7BE by Friday 29th November. Image of desk here. Donation welcome. Email here for more information and on how to collect the furniture.  Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) Consultancy The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) was established to ensure the expertise of those with lived-experience is embedded in the work of the anti-trafficking sector and is made up of independent consultants who co-work with HTF. LEAP can offer the development and delivery of training, provide expert advice on policy documents, and more. Find out more here and submit a request for LEAP consultancy.  HTF’s Survivor Hub  Survivor advocates and HTF have created an online Survivor Hub, a place for survivors to find opportunities for work and paid research participation, to find resources on education, housing support, the NRM, mental health support and includes directories of support providers and legal advisors across the country. Please share this widely in your networks. If your organisation has resources or opportunities that you would like included please email [email protected]. HTF’s Emergency Support Fund The Human Trafficking Foundation’s Trafficking Emergency Support Fund is available to help victims of human trafficking and modern slavery with small one-off grants to meet their immediate needs when no other sources of funding are available. If you are a support worker, you can see guidelines and complete an application form here on behalf of your client and email it to [email protected]. London Modern Slavery SPOC Directory  The Human Trafficking Foundation has been working with local authorities in the Greater London area to support the development of their response to modern slavery and human trafficking. As part of this, we produce an annual directory of Modern Slavery Single Points of Contact/Champions in statutory authorities across London including representatives within the NHS, police and local authorities. Please contact [email protected] to gain access or to make any amendments. London Directory of Services  HTF has created a Directory of Services, bringing together details of support agencies for survivors of modern slavery across London. The Directory is a live document, with more organisations added all the time. Access it now on our website under resources. If there is an organisation you think should be included, or to amend any information please email divya@humantraffickingfoundation.org. Mapping Survivor Support Services Our map of UK survivor support services aims to be a useful tool for people working with survivors to see what services are available in their area. View the map here. If your organisation provides support of any kind to survivors of trafficking and would like to be added to the map, please email [email protected].