Introduction

Modern slavery and trafficking are serious safeguarding concerns that affect both adults and children. While many people associate slavery with history, modern slavery continues today in hidden forms across communities, workplaces, and homes.

The exploitation of children and adults can include modern slavery and trafficking, and these harms can occur in any context or relationship. Perpetrators may be strangers, employers, family members, partners, or individuals already known to the victim .

For professionals working with children and young people, recognising the signs of exploitation and knowing how to respond is an essential safeguarding responsibility.

What Is Modern Slavery and Trafficking?

Modern slavery occurs when people are forced, threatened, manipulated, or deceived into situations of exploitation, control, and abuse.

Trafficking involves the recruitment, movement, transfer, or harbouring of a person for the purpose of exploitation. Importantly, trafficking does not always involve crossing international borders. A child can be trafficked within their local area, especially in relation to child criminal exploitation or child sexual exploitation .

Modern slavery and trafficking can include:

• Forced labour
• Domestic servitude
• Debt bondage
• Sexual exploitation
• Financial exploitation
• Forced criminality
• Organ harvesting
• Forced marriage

The crime is often hidden, making it difficult to identify.

Understanding Exploitation

Exploitation involves:

“Manipulation, misuse, abuse, victimisation, oppression or ill-treatment.”

Children experiencing exploitation may not always recognise themselves as victims. Some may believe they are helping their family, earning money, or building relationships, while in reality they are being controlled and abused.

Perpetrators frequently use:

• Fear
• Threats
• Debt
• Isolation
• Grooming
• Emotional manipulation

to maintain control.

Who Is Most Vulnerable?

Anyone can become a victim of modern slavery or trafficking, but some children are more vulnerable than others.

Children at increased risk include those:

• In care or care-experienced
• Missing from home or education
• Living in poverty
• With additional needs or disabilities
• Living with substance misuse
• Linked to criminal networks
• Refugees or migrant children
• Not living with parents or legal guardians
• Excluded from education

Vulnerability does not cause exploitation, but it increases the likelihood of children being targeted by perpetrators.

Signs and Indicators of Modern Slavery

The signs of modern slavery often overlap with other forms of abuse and exploitation. However, some indicators are particularly concerning.

Possible signs include children who:

• Are missing from education or home
• Have unexplained injuries or repeated injuries
• Distrust authority
• Have no identification documents or falsified documents
• Are not registered with a GP or school
• Possess unexplained money, phones, drugs, or alcohol
• Work excessively long hours or inappropriate jobs
• Spend large amounts of time doing household chores
• Rarely leave the house or have no freedom of movement
• Show signs of criminal or sexual exploitation
• Have tattoos or markings suggesting “ownership”

Children may also give rehearsed explanations or seem frightened to speak openly.

Labour Exploitation and Unsafe Working Conditions

Labour exploitation is a common form of modern slavery. Children and young people may be forced or manipulated into working long hours for little or no pay, often in unsafe conditions.

Warning signs may include:

• Working excessive hours
• Wage deductions or withheld pay
• Employers holding passports or identification
• Fear of leaving the job
• Poor physical health or untreated injuries
• Social isolation from friends or family

Victims may feel trapped due to threats, fear for their family, or debt.

Scenario Example: Luca

Luca is a 17-year-old student who works at a local car wash and takeaway. He works around 50 hours per week while attending college full time. Despite this, he often cannot afford lunch and says deductions are taken from his wages for transport, insurance, and uniform.

Luca appears exhausted, has lost weight, and has chemical burns on his hands. He later reveals that his employer holds his passport and threatens to report his family to authorities if he leaves the job .

This scenario highlights multiple indicators of labour exploitation and modern slavery, including:

• Excessive working hours
• Unsafe conditions
• Financial exploitation
• Control through threats
• Confiscation of documents
• Social isolation

Importantly, this must be treated as a modern slavery safeguarding concern, not simply “a bad job.”

What Should Professionals Do?

When concerns about modern slavery or trafficking arise, immediate action is required.

Professionals should:

• Report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Record all information accurately
• Speak with the child sensitively and safely
• Refer concerns to Children’s Services and police where appropriate
• Consider referral to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
• Work with other agencies to support the child and family

Concerns about labour exploitation may also be reported to organisations such as the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) or HMRC.

The Importance of Multi-Agency Working

Modern slavery and trafficking often require a coordinated response involving:

• Education settings
• Children’s Social Care
• Police
• Health professionals
• Community organisations
• Specialist exploitation services

Safeguarding professionals must “build the picture” by sharing information and recognising patterns over time.

Supporting Victims

Children who experience exploitation may feel ashamed, frightened, or loyal to those exploiting them. Support should focus on:

• Safety
• Emotional wellbeing
• Restoring trust
• Education and stability
• Helping children understand their rights

It is important to remember that children experiencing modern slavery are victims first, even when criminal activity is involved.

Conclusion

Modern slavery and trafficking are hidden forms of abuse that can affect any child or young person. Exploitation may involve labour, criminal activity, sexual abuse, or coercion, often hidden behind fear, manipulation, and control.

By recognising vulnerabilities, spotting warning signs, and acting early, professionals can help protect children from serious harm and ensure they receive the support they need.

Safeguarding starts with noticing — and every concern matters.