Understanding the support needs of the dependents of modern slavery survivors: An embedded case study.

An estimated 40.3 million people are enslaved worldwide, including 136,000 in the UK (Global Slavery Index, 2018). The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the official route for supporting survivor's post-exploitation in the UK. In 2019, 10,627 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the NRM: a 52% increase from 2018 (Home Office, 2020). Modern slavery survivors in the UK come from more than 100 different countries, with particularly high numbers from Albania, Vietnam, China and India.
Wide ranging support is available to all survivors who are referred to the NRM and receive a positive grounds decision, with a wealth of research examining the health and social needs survivors have as a result of modern slavery. For adults, while there is a recognition that survivors may have dependents (e.g., children), there is a significant gap in the acknowledgement of their specific needs. The health and social support needs of dependents and families are under-reported in UK literature, with main sources of information regarding the care of modern slavery survivors, including the UK Modern Slavery Care Standards 2018, minimally referencing dependents. Alongside this, the majority of NRM processes are focused on the referred adult, with the assumption that the adult can provide suitable support needs for their dependent, which greatly hinders the ability of both the adult and their dependent to rehabilitate.
As such, modern slavery entitlements within the UK currently present as two separate provisions; unaccompanied minor support, and adult support, with accompanied minors and dependent adults falling through the gap. Moreover, as dependent provisions are not funded through the NRM contract, providers tend to opt away from family-partner support, in particular, safe accommodation support, which is significantly lacking in the UK.
Research Aim and Questions
This PhD studentship will explore the experiences, needs and support provision for dependents of those who have survived modern slavery to fill important evidence gaps and inform policy and NRM change. The aim will be to develop a data driven, theoretically informed understanding that could have significant implications for the development of services and support provision. It will include questions such as;
(1) What are the physical, mental, and social support needs of dependents of modern slavery survivors?
(2) What are the factors that facilitator or hinder dependents in accessing support?
(3) What are the strengths, coping strategies and resiliencies that dependents use to maintain their health and wellbeing?
Methodology
This PhD will be a collaborative study with City Hearts, a UK modern slavery charity. A qualitative, case study utilising observation and interviews will be undertaken. A participatory approach underpinned by the "researcher in residence" model (Vindrola-Padros et al. 2019) will be developed, embracing the co-creation of knowledge between researchers, practitioners and those who use services (e.g., survivors of modern slavery and their dependents). Co-location is a central feature of this approach, not only facilitating an in-depth understanding of the processes and experiences involved in providing and receiving support, but also developing research capacity within the host organisation through the transfer of skills and knowledge.
The results will look to inform the ongoing Home Office NRM transformation and related policy, and in addition to academic publication; policy briefings and practitioner reports will also be produced to facilitate wider knowledge exchange. The "researcher in residence" approach will also facilitate the rapid uptake of findings into practice and service delivery within City Hearts.