In a major step forward, the role of Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® has been incorporated into several of the UK’s benchmark professional standards.
Hope for Justice has been part of a steering group to update six of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) on topics such as how to identify, respond and refer potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as how to support survivors and contribute to the prevention of these crimes.
This week, all six of the standards we helped to update and review have been approved. They now contain modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as having specific references to the roles of accredited Independent Modern Slavery Advocates® (IMSA®s) and Independent Human Trafficking Advocates (IHTAs) to work alongside adult survivors. We are working tirelessly to ensure that adult survivors of modern slavery in the UK are given access to an IMSA® to help them navigate the complex services and systems they are entitled to.
One of the revised NOS statements emphasises the importance of “involv[ing] an independent modern slavery advocate at the earliest possible opportunity and with consent of victim and survivor”.
Our UK Programme Director, Kerry Brighouse, said: “This is another significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that all adult survivors of modern slavery in the UK have access to an accredited, independent advocate. The National Occupational Standards are applied across the devolved nations, and will help to eliminate the postcode lottery that many survivors experience in the provision of support and services they are entitled to in the UK.”
Hope for Justice has been providing independent advocacy to adult survivors of modern slavery for more than 15 years. We are currently co-running a national pilot to provide more than 600 adult survivors of modern slavery with a dedicated Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® (IMSA®). We are also lobbying for this role to be embedded in frameworks across the country.
As part of our efforts, Kerry Brighouse joined the steering group to update the NOS standards, alongside experts on modern slavery, stalking, and honour-based violence.
These professional standards are approved by UK government regulators and specify the knowledge and skills that employees need to perform competently.
The role of IMSA has also been recognised in a recent report by The Passage and Modern Slavery Policy & Evidence Centre (PEC). Speaking about the current UK IMSA® Model pilot, the report states: “This initiative is reshaping the UK’s response to modern slavery by piloting a national, accredited model of independent advocacy for adult survivors. One that is trauma-informed, person-led, and rooted in lived experience. The IMSA® model complements existing services and ensures continuity, especially during transitions between support systems.”
The updated National Occupational Standards have now been approved and published on the UK NOS database:
- SFJBMS01 – Identify potential victims of honour based abuse, modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation and stalking
- SFJBE2 – Provide initial response and referral to victims and survivors of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation
- SFJBE7 – Provide initial response and referral to victims and survivors of stalking
- SFJBE8 – Provide initial response and referral to victims and survivors of honour based abuse
- SFJBI502 – Support victims and survivors of honour based abuse, modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation and stalking
- SFJBI505 – Contribute to the prevention of honour based abuse, modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation and stalking
