Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 78
78
Accepted
Paragraph: 233
Shortage of appropriate safe housing for trafficking victims, especially vulnerable children transitioning to adulthood.
Conclusion
There is a shortage of appropriate safe housing for victims of human trafficking whilst they are within the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract. Accommodation provision varies significantly for children after referral to the National Referral Mechanism, and children are particularly vulnerable to having no access to specialist safe accommodation after they turn 18 years old.
Government Response Summary
The government stated it is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC), which manages its provision on a needs-basis and is monitored by the Home Office, implying the current system is sufficient.
Paragraph Reference:
233
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government remains committed to ensuring all potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery have secure and appropriate accommodation when they enter National Referral Mechanism (NRM) support. The Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) manages their pipeline of secure accommodation to meet the demands of the NRM system and those victims who require accommodation as part of their support package, including single sex provision where necessary. The Home Office contract managers monitor the portfolio as part of contract governance to ensure the MSVCC has appropriate capacity to meet demand. MSVCC accommodation is provided on a needs-basis. Many victims are already in suitable, secure, and appropriate accommodation when they enter NRM support, such as asylum accommodation, local authority accommodation or living in their own private accommodation or with friends or family. Where there is no risk to them remaining in existing accommodation they will usually remain there, unless a need for MSVCC accommodation is identified through the risk and needs assessment process outlined in Chapter 8 of the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance. This is the case for both British and foreign nationals. Where a need for MSVCC accommodation is identified, victims are provided secure and appropriate accommodation suitable for their needs. For example, if necessary, they are provided with single sex or family accommodation. MSVCC contractual accommodation standards are based on published guidance in the form of the Decent Homes standard in England and the Welsh Quality Homes Standard.