Recommendation 84

HM Government · verbatim extract Deferred

We have carefully reviewed the previous commitment to provide 12 months of support to confirmed victims of modern slavery and concluded that the existing needs-based approach through the Recovery Needs Assessment (RNA) ensures that Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) support is available to confirmed adult victims for the necessary length of time, including if this is 12 months, or longer. The MSVCC is currently supporting adult victims who have been in the RNA process for over 12 months. Providing 12 months of support post Conclusive Grounds decisions outright to all confirmed victims would risk creating a longer-term dependency on the NRM, counter to its purpose to provide a short-term bridge to wider specialist support, or to help a victim return home, or to a safe third country. Particularly as many individuals will have received an extended period of support between their Reasonable Grounds and Conclusive Grounds decision, in line with the recovery period set out in our domestic and international obligations. Furthermore, once a confirmed victim exits the main MSVCC support service through the RNA process, the Reach-in service is available to victims for as long as they need it to help facilitate a sustainable transition back into the community. There is also the option for confirmed victims to re-enter the main MSVCC support service where necessary. Through Section 65 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the Government also set out, for the first time in primary legislation, that confirmed victims of modern slavery are eligible for temporary permission to stay in the UK. Depending on the individual circumstances, Temporary Permission to Stay can be granted for 12 months, or more, to confirmed victims of Modern Slavery. A confirmed adult victim will exit the NRM through the Recovery Needs Assessment (RNA) process once their ongoing recovery needs are being met by alternative support services. For example, where suitable local authority housing is offered to the victim, they will transition out of Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) accommodation. MSVCC accommodation and financial support to meet a victim’s essential living needs will continue where necessary to prevent a victim becoming destitute, but the MSVCC does not duplicate support that is available through the welfare system or asylum support. Where survivors are homeless or at risk of homelessness our focus is to ensure that the Homelessness Reduction Act’s prevention and relief duties are being deployed to provide help to all eligible people, including those who do not have priority need. The existing homelessness legislation already means a modern slavery victim may have a priority need if they would be assessed as vulnerable if homeless. We updated the Homelessness Code of Guidance specific chapter on modern slavery and trafficking to make this clearer.