The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the process by which

potential victims of Modern Slavery are identified, referred,

assessed and supported by the Government of the United Kingdom.

This process allows the police to gather evidence through the

Human Trafficking Centre. Only some agencies can refer individuals

who they think may be victims of Modern Slavery to the Competent

Authorities (CA), they are called ‘First Responders’.

The NRM is a three-stage process:

1. The First Responder refers the potential victim into

the NRM

After spotting the signs of Modern Slavery (identification), the First

Responder makes the decision to refer a potential victim. The First

Responder has an interview with the individual to complete a referral

form. The form is firstly a series of tick boxes followed by space for

more details. An adult has to give consent with a signature. The form

is sent to the UK Human Trafficking Centre which forwards it to the

appropriate Competent Authorities (CA).

2. The initial filter is a reasonable grounds test

Then, the CA have five working days to decide whether the individual

has reasonable grounds for being considered as a victim of Modern

Slavery. In other words, a positive decision will be made if the CA can

say ‘I suspect but I cannot prove’.

If the person receives a positive decision, they will be eligible for

support during 45 days, while a conclusive decision is taken. If they

receive a negative decision the service provider will help them exit

support within 48 hours.

3. This leads to a conclusive decision

Once a positive first decision has been made, the individual is granted

a 45 day reflection and recovery period (NOTE: support is not

intended to provide rehabilitation). The person is given safe

accommodation as well as psychological and physical support. The

victim will decide if whether or not he/she will report to the police and

collaborate with their investigation. However, assistance provided to

victims is not conditional on the victim’s willingness to act as a

witness.

Note that the individual cannot be removed from the United Kingdom

during this period of time.

Also during these 45 days, the CA agrees whether there are sufficient

grounds to decide that the individual is a victim of Modern Slavery.

National Referral

Mechanism Factsheet

First Responders include:

• UK Police Forces

• National Crime Agency (NCA)

• Home Office

• UK Border Force

• Local Authorities

• Children’s Services

• Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA)

• Designated NGOs (i.e. the Salvation

Army, Barnardo’s, Unseen)

The Competent Authoritiesare:

• UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC)

• Home Office UK Visas and Immigration

(UKVI)

Potential victims of Modern

Slavery across the UK are

entitled to:

• Specialist accommodation (safe

houses),

• Material assistance,

• Emergency NHS services,

• Support for accommodation,

• Translation and interpretation services,

• Counselling and information in a

language they can understand regarding

their legal rights and the services

available to them,

• Access to education for children

NOTE

If you think that you or someone you

have encountered may be a victim of

Modern Slavery, it is very important

that you seek legal advice. The easiest

and fastest way is to call the following

numbers:

Police (emergencies) – 999

Police (non-emergencies) – 101

The Salvation Army Referral Helpline –

0300 3038 151

[Please note that the NRM is currentlyunder review and might change in thecoming months]

45 Day recovery and reflexion period*

(Support Contract)

Conclusive grounds decision

YES NO

Tel: 00 44 (0)117 941 5331

info@unchosen.org.uk

www.unchosen.org.uk

Registered Charity 1139721

Company Limited by Guarantee 07014345

NRM Flowchart

Referral by first responder

Consideration of referral by the CA

Reasonable ground decision (Five days*)

YES NO

CA will contact

key agencies for

information when

making the

reasonable

grounds

decision.

Exit time from support: 48 hours

Request for review of the

decision.

Challenge of the decision by

judicial review.

Asylum or human rights claims

considered.

Assisted voluntary return

programmes

UK citizens/EU/EEA

national (limited

rights)

• Access to services

(health and benefits)

• Access to labour

market, vocational

training and education

• Access to assistance

to return home for EU/

EEA

• Exit time from

support: 14 days

Non-EEA nationals

with immigration

status

• Access to services

(health and benefits)

• Access to labour

market, vocational

training and education

• Access to assistance

to return home

• Exit time from

support: 14 days

Non-EEA nationals

with outstanding

asylum claim

• Access to healthcare

and asylum support

• Access to assistance

to return home

• Exit time from

support: 14 days

Non-EEA nationals

not granted

immigration status

• No access to services

• Access to assistance

to return home

• Exit time from

support: 48 hours

*Time estimates may vary depending on the case