Dear Stakeholder,

This newsletter provides an update on:

• Grant for supporting victims of modern slavery in the Criminal Justice System – Open for bids
• Modern Slavery Prevention Fund – Open for bids
• Expression of Interest to recruit Multi-Agency Assurance Panel (MAAP) Members
• Upcoming LGA-held training opportunities in November
• MSPEC: Calls for Responsive Research

Grant for supporting victims of modern slavery in the Criminal Justice System – Open for bids 

The Home Office has launched a grant to fund measures to support victims of modern slavery in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Police forces in England and Wales and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority are eligible to apply, and may work with other relevant organisations (e.g. NGOs) as part of their proposed activities. The deadline for applications is 4pm Friday 12 November.

This grant forms part of the Home Secretary’s commitment in the New Plan for Immigration to further strengthen the CJS response to modern slavery, including by ensuring victims have the support they need to engage with the CJS so that offenders face justice. The aim is to identify and fill gaps in support and to test the effectiveness of a number of different support measures.

Further details of the grant can be found here.

Modern Slavery Prevention Fund – Open for bids

As part of the New Plan for Immigration, the Home Office announced the creation of a Modern Slavery Prevention Fund, which is now open for bids. The Modern Slavery Prevention Fund will support organisations to deliver targeted prevention interventions that will help build the evidence base for where the greatest impact can be made. You can find more details about the fund, and how to request the application pack here. Please note the application deadline is the 8 November. 

Expression of Interest to recruit Multi-Agency Assurance Panel (MAAP) Members 

Multi-Agency Assurance Panels exist to ensure that robust and consistent decisions are made within the NRM process. The panels of independent professionals, who have experience and expertise in working with victims of modern slavery, add an additional layer of scrutiny to negative conclusive grounds decisions made across the UK. The panels comprise a range of representatives from relevant agencies, organisations and partners, including NGOs, with a background or relevant interest in modern slavery issues and in protecting vulnerable individuals.

We are looking to increase the pool of individuals to represent police/law enforcement, local authorities and NGOs on the panels and therefore are seeking candidates with a good knowledge of modern slavery issues; experience of dealing with vulnerable people (either adult or children); experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment; excellent communication skills and an ability to analyse information.

Whilst panel members do not receive remuneration from the Home Office for performing this role, the Home Office will make a contribution to the organisation the panel member works for to compensate them for the regular commitment of the individual. The Home Office will also reimburse all reasonable expenses (including travel, subsistence and other expenses) in line with Home Office policies.

For further information please see the Expression of Interest here 35872-Multi_Agency_Assurance_Panel_Member_Expression_of_Interest_2021_2__102204; please note the deadline for submitting such is midnight 30th November 2021.

Upcoming LGA-held training opportunities in November 

The Local Government Association (LGA) will be holding training webinars in the coming weeks. Details of the two sessions and how to enrol can be found below.

Working with partners to tackle modern slavery in your area

Tuesday 2 November 2021, 2.00pm – 3.45pm

Eradicating modern slavery requires the input and coordination of a range of local partners, both to disrupt ongoing cases of slavery and also to support victims.

This session will hear from a range of different partners and speakers with extensive experience of developing local slavery partnerships and consider how councils can best engage with them to tackle this heinous crime.

Please visit https://lgaevents.local.gov.uk/lga/1323/home to book

Modern Slavery: Effective first responders and quality referrals into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM)

Wednesday 10 November 2021, 2.00pm – 3.45pm

Under the Modern Slavery Act, councils are First Responders able to make referrals of modern slavery victims into the Single Competent Authority (SCA). But what makes a good referral? This webinar will hear from the SCA about the information needed from councils and other First Responders, as well as from expert organisations about working with victims to make an National Referral Mechanism (NRM) referral. It will also hear about how different councils are managing the challenge of a First Responder role extending across the entire organisation.

Please visit https://lgaevents.local.gov.uk/lga/1324/home to bookMSPEC: Calls for Responsive Research

The Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (the Modern Slavery PEC) issued calls for responsive research proposals at the end of September. In addition, the PEC also pre-announced one open call for research proposals. You can find full details on their website.

The responsive research calls are on the following subjects:

1. Evaluating the provision of distributed technology to adults with lived experience of modern slavery. You can find the full details of this call here.
2. Experiences of accessing legal advice for people with lived experience of modern slavery, particularly on recovery and outcomes. Details are here.
3. Improving the identification of adults with lived experience of modern slavery in the UK. Details here.
4. Establishing visibility and influence over long and complex supply chains. Details here.

The pre-announced open call for research is on the links between modern slavery in the UK and wider laws and policies. Further details can be found here.

Modern Slavery PEC are particularly keen to engage underrepresented groups such as people with lived experience of modern slavery. One of the conditions for applying for these grants is for academics to partner with non-academic partners in order to create partnerships to amplify new and more diverse voices in the modern slavery research and policy.

Finally, you can sign up here to be added to the mailing list.

If you have any queries about this update or you have any feedback that you would like us to reflect on for future newsletters, please let us know at [email protected].

Best wishes,

Modern Slavery Unit