Local authorities lack training to tackle modern slavery - new MDX report finds

Less than half of local authorities have comprehensive training programmes in place to help staff tackle modern slavery

Many local authorities across England and Wales are falling short in training their staff to respond to modern slavery according to a new report by academics from Middlesex University working with the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG) of Anti-Slavery International.

A number of councils lack the resources to conduct thorough supply chain checks, risking failure to identify potential labour exploitation by contractors, researchers found.

Under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, local authorities are the ‘first responders’ in helping survivors who frequently use services they have responsibility for such as housing, social care, education and safeguarding.

Although most councils recognise the importance of addressing modern slavery, less than half have comprehensive training programmes in place, the study found.

The report highlighted issues such as:

• Inconsistent training and limited awareness. Many local authority staff are unaware of their ‘first responder’ responsibilities. Where training exists, it is often limited to one-off sessions.
• While some councils have strong anti-slavery policies, others lack clear operational processes for identifying and supporting survivors.
• Miscommunication, lack of trust, and unclear responsibilities hinders work between local authorities, local police and community organisations.

Dr Sepideh Parsa, Associate Professor in Accounting at Middlesex University, said: “I am particularly concerned with how well-equipped local authorities are to fulfil their legal and moral responsibilities in tackling modern slavery. Our proposed training framework moves beyond tokenistic approaches. It offers a practical, scalable model tailored to the governance realities of local government. It supports staff and elected members to act confidently and collaboratively as first responders

“Local authorities have a vital role to play in prevention, identification and safeguarding - and they must be properly resourced and supported to do so.”

Dr Daniel Ozarow, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Middlesex University, said: “Speaking as a local councillor often being the eyes and ears of local communities, elected councillors themselves are often either not offered training in modern slavery identification and prevention, or do not undertake it for other reasons.

“The framework that we propose will aid local authorities and in particular their often passionate and hard-working modern slavery lead employees to train both councillors and council front-line staff, managers, contractors and suppliers in tailored ways, so that to become more aware about their duties as first responders wherever signs of trafficking and slavery occur.”

The study was funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The research was conducted by MDX scholars in partnership with ATMG, a coalition of thirteen UK-based anti-trafficking organisations

Nearly half (47%) of survey respondents expressed concerns regarding their council’s awareness of trafficking, domestic servitude, forced labour, and sexual exploitation.

 "Everyone must be able to escape exploitation and be supported as they recover from their horrific experience of modern slavery. Local authorities are in a unique position to prevent modern slavery, identify individuals affected by it, and provide protection and support.  But our research shows that they face significant barriers that undermine these efforts, like resource constraints and inconsistent or inadequate training for frontline staff. 

“The UK Government should work with local authorities to address these barriers and ensure modern slavery duties are embedded across local government structures to strengthen support for survivors."

Eleonora Fais, the coordinator of the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group at Anti-Slavery International

View the full report on the Anti-Slavery International website.

Photo by Christian Buehner on Unsplash