Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member Health & Social
Care) introduced the report on the Modern Slavery Strategy 2019
-2022. The Strategy had been the subject of an online public
consultation which had ended November 2019.
Bindi
Nagra (Director of Health & Adult Social Care), Sharon Burgess
(Head of Safeguarding Adults & Principal Social Worker) and
Fiana Centala (Mental Capacity and DOLS Manager) answered questions
regarding the report.
The
Council had not been obliged to issue a modern slavery statement
but had chosen to do so in order to demonstrate its commitment to
promote transparency in supply chains and the eradication of modern
slavery in the borough.
Modern
Slavery was defined by the Modern Slavery Act 2015, as a criminal
offence of slavery, servitude and compulsory labour; it also
includes human trafficking.
The
report highlighted the following:
- As a
public sector organisation, Enfield Council has a duty to report
instances of suspected modern slavery.
- Enfield Council had signed the ‘Charter Against Modern
Slavery’ October 2018.
- There
had been an appointment of Modern slavery lead within adult social
care and champions within the team.
- Training is being delivered to members of staff and social care
providers. A conference on this subject
was held on 16 May 2019 and another planned for 13 May
2020
- A
Modern Slavery Team to start January 2020.
- If
anyone thinks there is a possibility of modern slavery they should call the dedicated modern
slavery team on 020 8132 2154 or report it online at modernslavery@enfield.gov.uk
The
following issues/ questions were raised
- It was
asked if training on this subject could also be provided for
Members?
A factsheet had been prepared for Members for their
information. Training on this subject would be included on the
Members training programme.
- It was
important that companies and communities are aware of this issue.
The team will focus on our suppliers to ensure the supply chain is
free from modern slavery.
- This
report is expected to go to Cabinet on 11 March 2020.
- It was
noted that the setting up of the modern slavery team was not being
funded by Government. The team consists of two officers and one
police officer. It was asked how it was
decided that this number would be adequate? Sharon Burgess
responded that they would be looking at businesses, passing on
cases for criminal investigation.
Individual cases would go through the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
(MASH team). MASH shares the findings of its investigations at the
monthly Modern Slavery Board, where cases are
discussed.
- Many
local authorities support victims and make referrals to the Home
Office, only. Our central team will enable us to pool very
sensitive intelligence. The police are keen to be working with us
on this subject. It was noted that modern slavery was usually as a
result of organised crime, there is therefore a need for great care
to be taken because of links with gang masters/ drugs.
- Sharon
Burgess is the Chair of the London Modern Slavery
Group.
- There
is a need to ensure we support the victims of this crime ensuring a
‘wrap around service’ is provided. If we identify
individuals there is a national referral system – where
people are collected and taken to a place of safety. A package of
care is provided for people, but they must voluntarily agree to
this, unless children are involved in which case child protection
measures would be followed.
- Monitoring of the effectiveness of new arrangements would be
done. Sharon Burgess stated that we were looking to increase the
number of referrals we would be making to the Home Office and
working with our partners in the Police and Health & Safety to
look at an increase in the number of prosecutions. The team will
update Overview & Scrutiny Committee next year, on
progress.
- It was
thought there were probably far more people who are victims of
modern slavery than is thought. For example, at car washes, nail
bars and fast food outlets. Victims are also people who are born in
this country. This issue is also closely linked with ‘County
Lines’.
- Other
local authorities - Haringey and Waltham Forest were replicating
our model.
AGREED
- Training, on the subject of, Modern Slavery and Human
Trafficking would be included on the Members training
programme.
(Action: Claire Johnson)
- An
update on the work of the Modern Slavery Team would be reported to
Overview & Scrutiny Committee in January 2021.
(Action: Sharon Burgess)
Officers were thanked for their report.