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<p>The Government is clear that where children are found to have been trafficked,
regardless of exploitation type, their safety and welfare needs must be addressed
as a priority and that child victims require tailored support which addresses their
specific needs and vulnerabilities. <br><br>All local agencies including local authorities,
police and Border Forcehave statutory duties to safeguard children as part of their
local<br>responsibilities, regardless of nationality or immigration status. A child’s
welfare is always the overriding consideration. <br><br>Responsibility for the care,
protection and accommodation of all child trafficking victims rests with local authorities.
local authorities have <br>well-established child support arrangements and a statutory
duty under the Children Act 2004 to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children<br>in
need of protection, including trafficked children regardless of their nationality
or immigration status. Under these arrangements, looked after <br>children are provided
with access to all their needs be they in relation to education, accommodation, psychological
or health needs.<br>Local authorities co-ordinate the arrangements for each looked
after childto ensure they are safeguarded and have their welfare promoted.<br><br>In
January 2014 the Government announced proposals to trial specialist independent advocates
for trafficked children. The trial, which began on 8 September 2014, will last for
a period of 12 months across 23 local authorities in England. <br><br>The Modern Slavery
Bill gives these advocates a statutory basis and the status they need to effectively
support and represent the child. The Bill commits the Government to lay a report before
Parliament setting out the steps the Government will take in relation to advocates
for victims of child trafficking under these powers. Lessons learned from the trials
will be detailed in the report, at which point we will be in a better position to
assess what works best in supporting and protecting these vulnerable children.</p><p>
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