| answer text |
<p>We recognise the essential role local authorities play in the safeguarding of all
children in their care, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences. It is absolutely
right that local authorities continue to make decisions about the placement and welfare
of children they have responsibility for, which includes assessing risks such as trafficking,
and considering the need to refer them to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).</p><p>The
recently announced package of reforms to the NRM includes a number of measures that
will improve the process for both adults and children. A single expert unit will be
created in the Home Office to handle all cases referred from front line staff and
to make decisions about whether somebody is a victim of modern slavery. This will
replace the current case management units in the National Crime Agency and UK Visas
and Immigration and will be separate from the immigration system.</p><p>In addition
government will be introducing an independent panel of experts to review all negative
conclusive grounds decisions, adding significantly to the scrutiny such cases currently
receive.</p>
|
|
