Creating Stable Futures: Implementing a Positive Outcomes Framework

A focus on outcomes for children and young people affected by human trafficking, modern slavery and/or exploitation is absent from policy, practice and literature in the UK. This proposal is submitted by the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice located in Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) with Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT UK) in a dual role as Project Partners and Sub-Contractors. This proposal is for a follow-on project to explore, develop, utilise and operationalise a Positive Outcomes Framework created with 31 young people during a 12-month participatory study funded by a former AHRC award, through the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre (MSPEC), entitled Stable Futures: Improving Participation, Life Chances and Outcomes for Children and Young People following Human Trafficking and/or Modern Slavery.

This participatory research project resulted in several outputs including a Final Report, Research Summary produced by MSPEC and an article written by young people published in Children and Young People Now. A key output was a separate Positive Outcomes Framework detailing 25 Outcomes and 86 associated Indicators which, for the first time, outlines what young people identify they would need to see for positive and meaningful change to happen in their lives and lives of others, now and in the future. This Positive Outcomes Framework is structured around the General Principles of the United Nations Convention relating to Children (UNCRC) and provides an innovative and creative way of thinking about the lives of young people affected by human trafficking.

The follow-on project seeks to disseminate findings from this study more broadly within user communities and, in particular, it seeks support for unforeseen knowledge exchange around this first Positive Outcomes Framework devised with these children and young people. A range of engagement activities are planned including: 8 Regional Learning Events in the form of reflexive and interactive trainings provided through Strategic Migration Partnerships, Local Safeguarding Partnerships and/or Modern Slavery Partnerships which will explore the development and potential future use of the Positive Outcomes Framework (320 direct participants); engagement of 8 national policy makers and 8 tailored policy briefings; creation of a comprehensive training pack for face-to-face trainings and online learning; a Shared Learning Event with young people; and influencing the policing curriculum at Sheffield Hallam University.