The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is a system in the UK that helps children and adults who might be victims of exploitation, human trafficking or modern slavery. Work has concluded to improve the transition from child to adult support structures for victims in the NRM.

These changes have implications for First Responders and professionals supporting young people.

Policy Change

  • A decision has been taken to allow any potential victim who was referred into the NRM as a child, but has not had their Conclusive Grounds (CG) decision upon turning 18, to provide their consent to remain in the NRM verbally or in writing.
  • Similarly, all adults in the NRM (including those who were referred into the NRM as a child), may withdraw from the NRM verbally or in writing.
  • These changes have been introduced to standardise consent policy for all potential victims, and is designed to support victims who are unable or hesitant to complete and sign a written form.
  • For a potential victim to provide their decision verbally, they must do so through a professional in a First Responder Organisation.
    • Professionals will need to have a conversation with the potential victim (only once they have turned 18 if transitioning to adulthood), ensuring that they understand the impact of their decision and it is informed.
    • The professional should then sign and return the relevant consent/withdrawal form to the appropriate Competent Authority.
    • These forms contain support for professionals on having these informed conversations with potential victims

A potential victim may still complete the relevant form themselves to consent to the NRM / to withdraw from the NRM in writing and return this to the relevant Competent Authority. Allowing potential victims to provide decisions verbally aims to make consent and withdrawal processes smoother by creating an alternative avenue for providing decisions.

More information on the ‘Child to Adult Transition Pathway’ can be found on page 81 in the Modern Slavery: statutory guidance.

In addition, new information leaflets have been published. These are particularly relevant to professionals supporting children and young people, including as they approach 18 and will need to consider whether they consent to be referred into adult support through the NRM: