Covers modern slavery under the 2015 Act, the six types of exploitation, spotting warning signs, and reporting concerns correctly.
This course is an essential introduction to modern slavery for workers in the UK construction and housing sectors. It covers what modern slavery is, how exploitation manifests across six legal categories under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, how to identify the physical, behavioural, and workplace warning signs, and the correct steps to report concerns and protect your supply chain. The course aligns with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) framework.
Modern slavery, Human trafficking, Forced labour, Domestic servitude, Modern Slavery Act 2015, National Referral Mechanism (NRM), Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Labour exploitation, Debt bondage, Criminal exploitation, Sexual exploitation, Forced and sham marriage, Organ harvesting, Supply chain due diligence, Section 54 reporting, Psychological coercion
This lesson defines modern slavery as an exploitative crime in which people are controlled through force, fraud, or coercion for someone else's profit. It explains how the Modern Slavery Act 2015 creates specific criminal offences for holding someone in slavery, servitude, or forced labour and for human trafficking, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. You'll explore the six common types of exploitation - labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, criminal exploitation, forced and sham marriage, and organ harvesting - and understand how perpetrators use psychological coercion, threats against family, immigration fears, and false promises to maintain control over victims of all ages, ethnicities, and nationalities.
This lesson equips you to recognise the red flags that may indicate someone is being exploited. It covers six categories of warning signs: isolation (always accompanied, someone else speaks for them), restricted freedom of movement (no access to passport, ID, or bank cards), reluctance to seek help (avoids eye contact, fears police), physical appearance (malnourished, untreated injuries, unsuitable clothing), poor living conditions (overcrowded accommodation, living at their workplace), and unusual travel arrangements (dropped off and collected by the same person, transported in groups at odd hours). You'll also learn what HR, management, and procurement teams should look for behind the scenes, including unlicensed labour agencies, wages paid to third parties, and workers brought in by a "handler." The key message is to trust your instinct - if something feels wrong, take it seriously.
This lesson walks you through the correct steps to take if you suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery. It covers the do's - report internally through your safeguarding or whistleblowing procedure, call the Modern Slavery Helpline (08000 121 700), call 999 if someone is in immediate danger, and record details discreetly - as well as the don'ts, such as never confronting the exploiter or attempting a rescue. You'll learn how the National Referral Mechanism works, from initial report through first responder referral to the recovery and reflection period. The lesson also covers prevention and due diligence measures: verifying GLAA licences, auditing pay and identity documents, scrutinising subcontracting chains, including Modern Slavery Act compliance clauses in supplier contracts, and understanding the Section 54 requirement for organisations with turnover above £36 million to publish an annual modern slavery statement.
