Modern slavery training plan - Print version

Overview

Coventry City Council have co-created a training package with Birmingham City Council that seeks to raise awareness of modern slavery, enable staff to better spot the signs, and increase confidence in reporting and responding to modern slavery when potential cases are encountered. The training will aim to address modern slavery and exploitation in a consistent and comprehensive manner across our cities.

The package consists of three levels of training (basic, intermediate, and advanced) which will equip all council staff to identify and respond to modern slavery to the level required within their roles and responsibilities.

This will be the first council-wide modern slavery training package developed and implemented in Coventry City Council. Our aspiration is that this training package will lead to the upskilling of staff and therefore an improved council-wide response to modern slavery.

Partnership working

Led by the Modern Slavery Leads in Community Safety in each council, colleagues within CCC and BCC have co-written the training package. This has resulted in the creation of standardised content which is applicable in either Local Authority. Coventry’s local context and pathways will be added to make the training locally relevant. We hope that our collaboration with Birmingham City Council will act as a reproducible model for partnership working for local authorities across the UK.

For levels two and three, we have included a series of short-form videos from valued partner agencies illustrating case studies of modern slavery. These videos will be played in our live training sessions and will give practical examples of the reality of modern slavery, as well as an understanding of the various agencies involved in tackling modern slavery in our region. Partners include West Midlands Police, West Midlands.

Level 1: Universal basic awareness

Target group: All Coventry City Council employees
Method of delivery: E-Learning Module
Duration: Up to 1 hour
Core competency: Staff know what modern slavery is, what their duties are, and how to report their concerns.
Values: We understand that tackling modern slavery is everyone’s responsibility and we feel confident to raise concerns. We listen to and believe victims, and we strive to do no further harm.

Participants should understand:

• The definition of modern slavery and its various forms.
• The scale of modern slavery in the UK and Coventry.
• The indicators of modern slavery.
• The barriers to disclosure for victims.
• The Local Authority’s legal duty to respond to modern slavery.  
• Best practice when working with survivors.
• How to report concerns.

Participants should be able to:

• Respond sensitively and confidently to concerns or disclosures of modern slavery.
• Refer concerns to appropriate professionals to get people the help they need.

Criteria for success:

• Participant demonstrates awareness and understanding of modern slavery.
• Participants can explain how to respond to concerns and where to access advice.

Level 2: Identification and initial response

Target group: Staff who have direct contact with the public, properties, or businesses.
Method of delivery: One live in-person training session
Duration: Up to two hours
Core competency: Staff identify, report, and refer concerns of modern slavery, whilst safeguarding victims and collecting relevant case information.  
Values: We are curious and questioning of situations that don’t feel right. We understand the importance of acting in the moment to safeguard victims and gather information. Our practice is always victim-centred, and trauma informed.

Participants should understand:

• The specific indicators for each type of exploitation.
• The specific indicators for people and places.  
• How to respond to a disclosure of modern slavery with or without a disclosure.
• The importance of multi-agency working and how those around you can support you.
• How and when to share information.

Participants should be able to:

• Ask effective questions about modern slavery in a safe and sensitive manner.
• Assess indicators and decide when to escalate concerns.
• Provide basic, interim safeguarding to victims.
• Act as a helpful advocate for victims.
• Make referrals to relevant services.

Criteria for success:

• Participant routinely considers modern slavery and makes enquiries when necessary.
• Participant shares information effectively and seeks advice of appropriate professionals.

Level 3: Support interventions

Target group: Staff who will be responsible for submitting referrals to the National Referral Mechanism, staff who provide support to vulnerable adults, and team managers of public-facing teams.
Method of delivery: Live in-person training.
Duration: up to three hours.
Core competency: Staff work alongside victims of modern slavery to empower them to leave exploitative situations, reduce the impact of trauma, and decrease their vulnerability to further abuse.
Values: We advocate for removing the barriers and challenges that victims face when trying to access support. We are patient and sensitive to the needs of victims and we incorporate the aspirations and strengths of victims into their support plans.

Participants should understand:

• The role of a First Responder and what this means in your role.
• How to refer into the Duty to Notify (DtN) and National Referral Mechanism (NRM) processes.
• Coventry City Council’s modern slavery safeguarding and assessment procedures.
• The impact of the trauma of modern slavery.
• The support needs of victims of modern slavery.
• The intersection of modern slavery with other forms of abuse and how other legislation impacts on victims of modern slavery (e.g. Care Act 2014
• How culture, trauma, and other intersectionality impact of the experience of abuse, capacity to accept help and how services must adapt their approach.
• How coercion and control impacts on decisions-making and consent.
• How to enable someone to leave exploitative situations and reduce their likelihood of repeat victimisation.
• How to prevent modern slavery in at risk groups or locations.

Participants should be able to:

• Follow specific pathways and procedures relating to modern slavery.
• Identify the long-term effects of modern slavery and the resulting support needs.
• Contribute to decisions on when to act to protect a person at risk of or subjected to modern slavery including participation in multi-agency meetings as necessary.
• Work within a multidisciplinary process, co-ordinating a plan and services for people at risk of and subjected to modern slavery.
• Present safeguarding concerns verbally and in writing as required by your role.
• Communicate effectively with adults to enable them to participate in their support plan.

Criteria for success:

• Participant uses modern slavery pathways and procedures to effectively safeguard victims and prevent harm.
• Participant provides meaningful, empowering support to victims which enables them to achieve their aspirations and live free from modern slavery.
• Participant advocates for the rights and wishes of the victim in multi-agency settings.
• Participant demonstrates ability to complete DtN and NRM referrals.