Jump straight to information about applying to become an IMSA® Employing Organisation

The Independent Modern Slavery Advocacy (IMSA®) Model is about ensuring that survivors of modern slavery across the UK have access to an accredited independent advocate. Survivors of other complex crimes, such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse and stalking, have access to accredited, dedicated professionals to advocate alongside them. However, this vital provision is not yet available to adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK. That is why a group of expert organisations have come together to spearhead a new pilot through which organisations across the four nations of the UK will employ Independent Modern Slavery Advocates® (IMSAs®).

IMSAs work alongside survivors to help them understand their rights and to navigate the complex systems and support services available in the UK. With help from an independent advocate, survivors can overcome barriers and make informed decisions about their recovery. Such one-on-one advocacy also reduces their risk of being re-exploited.

We were delighted when the first referrals of survivors to benefit from the IMSA® Model pilot were received and triaged into the three-tier model of advocacy in September 2025. More than 600 adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking, from across the UK, will be able to access this best practice independent advocacy through the pilot over the next four years.

The IMSA Model pilot has attracted widespread interest from organisations working with modern slavery victims and survivors all around the UK. Speakers at the launch event included Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Phillips MP; the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, who strongly endorsed the IMSA model; and survivors with lived experience of modern slavery, whose voices have been crucial in shaping the whole project.

Nancy Esiovwa, a Lived Experience Consultant who spoke at the launch event, shared her thoughts in depth in this interview. She said: “I had access to an IMSA at Hope for Justice. It would be great for all survivors to have someone who is in their corner, fighting for them, like I had. The challenges to accessing support are huge, so having someone who will not underestimate the barrier or the problem that a decision will cause for the survivor, having the right IMSA to do that, will be great for survivors. It will help survivors to understand the process and help them through that process, supporting them mentally and helping them break things down.”

There is broad support for IMSAs from organisations across the UK anti-slavery and anti-trafficking sector. Dr Júlia Tomás, Human Trafficking Policy and Research Manager at The Passage, said: “Having dedicated my career to combating modern slavery, including creating a successful and sustainable Modern Slavery Service in a homelessness charity, I can unequivocally state that Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs) are indispensable…IMSAs guide survivors through complex systems and ensure access to vital services. National implementation is a moral imperative to empower survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.”

The IMSA Project Board consists of Hope for Justice, Snowdrop Project, the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, plus two co-opted members representing the devolved nations: SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland) and Bawso in Wales. Bawso provides practical and emotional prevention, protection and support services to Black Minority Ethnic (BME) and migrant victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, ‘honour-based’ violence, modern slavery and human trafficking. Bawso is employing an IMSA, supported by a central IMSA Hub hosted by Hope for Justice, and is working closely with the IMSA Project board to ensure that the IMSA model is fit-for-purpose in Wales.

The model is being adapted for different contexts across the UK, in the best interests of survivors.  

Applications are open for organisations to apply to partner with the IMSA® Development Project, to participate in the pilot and employ an IMSA®. The IMSA® Model pilot enables a period of rigorous testing of the IMSA® model in different types of organisations and a range of locations throughout the UK, ensuring the model is the best it can be, improving outcomes for survivors.

We are seeking organisations from different sectors including NGOs, community and faith groups, NRM providers and statutory services. We are also seeking organisations from a range of geographies across the UK, including devolved nations, rural, urban areas and ‘postcode lottery’ areas.

So far, we have received a very positive response, with 15 of the required 23 organisations submitting an expression of interest in becoming an IMSA® employing organisation. Each organisation receives training from Hope for Justice, SOHTIS and Snowdrop Project, with learning modules including:

Key information for organisations interested in employing an IMSA® and joining the pilot:

To apply, complete this online application form:

Contact advocacy.imsa@hopeforjustice.org to arrange a discussion about applying to join the pilot if you have questions.

All IMSAs who participate in the pilot are required to complete accredited training, a Post Graduate Certificate (PG Cert), delivered by the Bakhita Centre at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Trainee IMSAs complete the qualification when they start in role.

The first cohort of IMSAs started the course in September 2025, with training due to be completed in December 2025. The second cohort will start in January 2026.

The qualification is composed of three modules:

The IMSA PG Certification has been validated – a key step in the accreditation and standardisation of the role. With independent advocacy being offered in a standardised and accredited way, survivors can feel confident in the level and professionalism of the advocacy they receive, and can also be empowered to understand how to raise concerns or complaints if the advocacy they receive falls below these standards.

Hope for Justice has provided independent advocacy for more than 15 years, during which time we have seen the immense impact of IMSAs in improving outcomes for survivors of modern slavery, preventing re-trafficking and facilitating access to justice.

The role of Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® (IMSA®) was created in response to a well-documented gap in how the UK responds to human trafficking and because independent advocacy is strongly recommended by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Since 2022, the IMSA Project Board has worked collaboratively, informed by those with lived and learned experience, alongside over 90 UK organisations from different sectors, to develop the National Framework for Independent Modern Slavery Advocates, following an extensive consultative workshop process.

Funding for the national pilot was awarded by the National Lottery earlier this year, providing just under £1 million over four years to enable the IMSA Model to be rigorously tested.