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<p>The National Referral Mechanism is our system for identifying and providing access
to support for suspected victims.</p><p>The support for adult victims is provided
through a Government-funded support service, the Victim Care Contract (VCC), which
gives all adult victims in England and Wales a tailored and specialised package of
care and support which includes, but is not limited to, accommodation, financial support,
counselling, access to mental, physical and dental health services, and signposting
to legal support.</p><p>Currently all potential victims of modern slavery who receive
a positive Reasonable Grounds (RG) decision in the NRM are able to access a minimum
of 45-days of support delivered through the VCC during their recovery and reflection
period. This support is provided until the potential victim receives a Conclusive
Grounds (CG) decision. This will be at least 45 days after they enter support but
is often longer.</p><p>After the recovery and reflection period, victims who receive
a positive CG decision are currently able to access continuing move-on support. Previously
this support was provided for 45 days, but the Home Office is in the process of reviewing
this policy.</p><p>Those who receive a negative decision are able to access a further
9 days of move-on support.</p><p>Child victims of modern slavery are supported by
local authorities under existing statutory child protection arrangements. In addition,
Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, makes provisions for Independent Child
Trafficking Advocates (ICTAs). ICTAs are an independent source of advice for trafficked
children and somebody who can speak up on their behalf. We have successfully rolled
out ICTAs to one third of all local authorities in England and Wales and the Government
remains committed to rolling ICTAs out nationally.</p><p>The Independent Review of
the Modern Slavery Act led by Frank Field, Bar-oness Butler-Sloss and Maria Miller
has recently considered Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which makes provision
for ICTAs. The Review’s final report can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-modern-slavery-act-final-report%20"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-modern-slavery-act-final-report
</a></p><p>The Government is currently carefully considering the recommendations for
ICTAs for national roll out.</p>
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