To receive a Modern Day slavery update report.

Fiana Centala, Mental Capacity & Modern Slavery Team Manager introduced the report.

NOTED:

1.     The Modern Slavery Team was formed in January 2020, the report provides details of the work undertaken by the team during the first year.

2.     Enfield is the first in the UK to have a local authority led Modern Slavery Team that is joined up with policing colleagues.

3.     Despite the pandemic the team has had successes. The team has accompanied the police on seven operations throughout the year.

4.     An example of a case was provided where a polish national who had been trafficked into the country and was subject to domestic servitude was rescued. Sufficient evidence was complied to be accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service and the case will be going to court in October 2021. The lady concerned is now in a place of safety and on the road to recovery, she supported the police providing her story and giving them enough evidence to proceed with the case.

5.     It is difficult to build a repour with people in these circumstances due to the hardships and emotional and physical trauma that they have suffered.

6.     Sometimes people do not understand that they are victims of modern slavery. The team also provides training to professionals at the Council, partner agencies and local businesses. This is to upskill and raise awareness, provide details of how to make referrals or seek advice if they have concerns.

Comments, questions and queries:

·         What has been the biggest learning point that the team has taken from its first year? Officers advised that this is the importance of the Modern Slavery board, this has been fundamental and crucial in developing pathways and putting structures in place to ensure that the victim has the quality of care and the support they need, such as pathways into housing and secondary mental health services (where the wait time is greatly reduced). Partnership working is also key particularly with the police.

·         Out of the 83 referrals mentioned in the report how many were taken forward.? Roughly 30 people went on to engage and require services. Quite often when referrals come from the public, consent can be an issue with adults. If a person presents as having capacity and declines to be referred anywhere their wishes must be respected. The local authority would then respond with a duty to notify this means the person will stay on the system and the team would ask if they can contact further down the line.

·         Regarding the farmhouse operation of the 4 people that wanted support, how are they now? Two are in the UK in employment in private rented accommodation and two have returned home. These are the outcomes that they wanted.

·         Are the referrals coming from particular areas? One of the aims of the team was to investigate locational and organisational issues. This was part of a mapping exercise across the borough using intelligence that the Council and police held. This is an ongoing process to keep this information up to date. The intention is to ensure that resources are used and targeted effectively.

·         How do you make contact with the victims and how do you advertise so that people know where to go? When the team are out on raids it became clear that victims can be scared to come forward or do not think they are victims. Discreet cards are left with people that they can tuck away and use in future if needed. Information is also available in GP surgeries and chemists. Safe and well packs have been distributed to the police, colleagues in Children’s services, libraries. This includes a lot of information that marginalised people do not have access to. Depending on where the pack is and who is in receipt, the pack could include items such as condoms, folic acid and food vouchers. There is also a steady social media campaign through the Council’s communications team.

·         How are victims supported when English is not their first language? Quite often, on a police-led raid there will be meetings ahead of this, involving discussions on who it is believed the potential victims are including country of origin. This information allows officers to prepare and quite often interpreters would attend at location. The victims seeking assistance would then be taken to the reception centre. This is a safe place where there will often be representatives from their own community groups who can speak their language. If this is not practical will use language line. In terms of general work, the team work with a range of communities and businesses to help them recognise the potential signs of modern slavery.

Officers were thanked for their presentation