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<p>Information on the number of looked after children who have been identified as
potential victims of human trafficking and who go missing from care is not held centrally.</p><p>
</p><p>The latest figures on looked after children who go missing in England as at
31 March are published in Table G1 of the statistical release ‘Children Looked after
in England including adoptions: 2018 to 2019’, which is attached and is also available
at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2018-to-2019"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2018-to-2019</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>Slavery and trafficking of children is a very serious offence and the government
is committed to protecting children from this harm. The response to trafficking should
be primarily about protecting victims and bringing those who exploit them to justice.</p><p>
</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare
of all children in their area, including child victims of modern slavery. The department’s
statutory guidance for local authorities on care of unaccompanied migrant children
and child victims of modern slavery is clear on authorities’ duties to work with local
partners to protect child victims of modern slavery from further risk from their traffickers
and preventing exploitation from taking place. In particular, there should be a clear
understanding between the local authority and the police of their respective roles
in planning for this protection and responding if a child victim of modern slavery
goes missing.</p><p> </p><p>Section 48 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 makes provisions
for Independent Child Trafficking Advocates, which have been renamed Independent Child
Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs). ICTGs are an independent source of advice for trafficked
children; somebody who can speak up on their behalf and act in the best interests
of the child. Currently, ICTGs have been rolled out to one third of local authorities
in England and Wales and the government remains committed to a national rollout.</p>
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