Agenda item

Joint Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Adults and Health Services

The Chair introduced the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Business Manager who was in attendance to provide the committee with an overview of modern slavery and human trafficking.  A report was circulated to outline the range of partnership activity that took place around modern slavery and human trafficking (for copy see file of minutes).

The SAB Business Manager informed the committee that the Modern Slavery Act was introduced in 2015.  As best practice the Local Authority published a transparency statement prior to a change in the Act. The statement outlined the Council commitment to ensuring modern slavery does not exist in supply chains.

 Modern slavery covered a range of issues that included sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour and criminal exploitation.  Members were informed that Durham County Council had a role to raise awareness, however, levels of modern slavery were low in County Durham but had increased due to the increase in the widening awareness to the issue and training that had taken place. 

The SAB Business Manager notified the committee that Section 52 of ‘the act’ placed a duty to notify on specific agencies when a potential victim of modern slavery or human trafficking is identified. The committee were advised that an independent review had taken place that identified gaps in provision and of a national tendering exercise to explore areas of safety, 24-hour referrals, support services offering accommodation or outreach support, transport and translation services.  On a national level there had been an increase in reported cases

which may be attributed to heightened awareness and press coverage

The SAB Business Manager informed the committee that a Modern Slavery Charter had been created by the Council and was constantly being monitored. She noted that joint working was continual with the Council’s Adult and Health Services along with Durham Council’s Housing Solutions, Durham Constabulary, the Local Safeguarding Adults Board and the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership.  Members were advised that partners would be participating in an event during Safeguarding Week on 20 November 2019 that would raise awareness to tackling modern slavery.

The Chair thanked the SAB Business Manager for her overview of modern slavery and human trafficking and invited questions from members of the committee.

The Acting Chief Executive, Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner notified the committee that his team were involved in this work and they were trying to raise awareness. He noted there had been an increase in reported cases due to heightened awareness of the issue amongst the public and organisations and his team continued to support the cause.

Councillor P Jopling highlighted a recent media following the death of migrants found in a truck container in Essex as an example of people coming into England illegally and the appalling conditions they suffered for a potentially better life. 

Councillor P Jopling, raised concern to an increase in car washes, nail bars and barbers and asked if checks were undertaken to check they were legitimate businesses to ensure staff were not victims of modern slavery. 

Councillor D Boyes informed the Committee that the Council dealt with this through licensing. Councillor A Batey notified the committee that the licensing committee members had received awareness training on child sexual exploitation and taxi drivers had been educated to identify any issues.  

The SAB Business Manager informed the committee of the work of organisations such as the Gangmasters Labour and Abuse Authority and National Crime Agency of checking processes that could be undertaken. She informed of initiatives such as the introduction of kitemark schemes. She informed the committee that partnership working also took place with those agencies for example UK Visa and Immigration so that intelligence is shared to monitor and support prevention of instances. She noted that there was also a mobile app that had been launched “Safe car wash” where anyone could report concerns anonymously. 

Councillor P Jopling was concerned that the public could not be solely relied upon to report incidents. Councillor D Boyes informed the committee that there were different teams involved with the initiative and there was a Councillors guide that should be circulated to all members.

Councillor J Clarke informed the committee that a breakfast seminar had been held on modern slavery for members that was presented by a police officer that included the ‘safe car wash’ app.  Councillor Clarke felt that the presentation should be circulated to all members as it was interesting to note that there were more white British people that were being forced into slavery because of debt than foreign nationals.  The Overview and Scrutiny Officer agreed to contact appropriate officers to seek authorisation to circulate the information as requested.

Mr Cooke felt that modern slavery took on many forms and was concerned that people came into this country by unlawful means in order to get jobs but did not expect to be fearful and therefore would not report their abusers in case they were caught and repatriated to their country.

The SAB Business Manager informed the committee that the service tried to support victims as much as possible and recognised there were often barriers to reporting for potential victims, sharing the example that often victims may have fled circumstances in another country and where they have been fearful of professionals and/or police and as a result they may have difficulty trusting in professionals/police here. She felt services and agencies were moving forward evident from national referral systems and support was provided to educate and train professionals and develop resources to support victims to feel safe.  

Councillor J Turnbull gave an example of a person who was kept in a house against his will within his division despite residents in the vicinity complaining about the derelict house. Cllr Turnbull felt that more needed to be done when concerns were raised as there was a reluctance of the local authority, housing association or police to take action.  

Councillor D Boyes informed the committee that work was being carried out under selected licensing under Cabinet member Councillor K Shaw with regards to empty houses and trying to bring them back into use.

The SAB Business Manager informed the committee that the police worked closely with housing and it was embedded into the wider training programme to help with these situations within the community.

Resolved

That the report be noted and comments observed