Reading List

A selected Reading List to support modern slavery and human trafficking awareness for general practice reception and care-navigation staff.

The sources below provide practical guidance for recognising signs, responding safely, sharing relevant information and escalating concerns. Always follow local safeguarding procedures alongside national guidance.

1. Modern Slavery and Healthcare

• GOV.UK - Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims
  Home Office statutory and non-statutory guidance on indicators, immediate support, first responder roles and the National Referral Mechanism. Useful for understanding the national framework that underpins local safeguarding routes.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-slavery-how-to-identify-and-support-victims

• GOV.UK - Identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery: guidance for health staff
  Healthcare-focused actions for staff who suspect trafficking or slavery, including safe response and reducing further risk to the person.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/identifying-and-supporting-victims-of-human-trafficking-guidance-for-health-staff

• NHS Safeguarding Guide - Modern slavery and human trafficking
  NHS safeguarding overview of modern slavery, common signs and options for escalation within healthcare settings.
  https://safeguarding-guide.nhs.uk/types-of-abuse-exploitation-and-neglect/s3-09/

• GOV.UK - Report modern slavery as a first responder
  Guidance for designated first responders on reporting cases through the National Referral Mechanism. Clarifies why reception staff should escalate concerns rather than making referral decisions alone.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-modern-slavery-as-a-first-responder

2. General Practice Safeguarding and Information Sharing

• RCGP - Safeguarding standards for general practice
  UK-wide safeguarding standards for practice teams covering roles, escalation and governance. Relevant for day-to-day responsibilities and local procedures.
  https://www.rcgp.org.uk/learning-resources/safeguarding-standards

• GOV.UK - Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
  Advice on proportionate information sharing when there is suspected harm. Explains need-to-know sharing and why confidentiality should not prevent appropriate safeguarding action.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice

3. Four-Nations Safeguarding Context

• GOV.WALES - Safeguarding guidance
  Welsh guidance for adult and child safeguarding. Relevant when concerns are handled under Welsh safeguarding arrangements.
  https://www.gov.wales/safeguarding-guidance

• Scottish Government - Adult support and protection
  Scottish adult protection policy relevant where adult exploitation is suspected, and how adult support and protection may apply alongside modern slavery concerns.
  https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/adult-support-and-protection/

• Department of Health Northern Ireland - Adult Safeguarding key documents
  Northern Ireland adult safeguarding documents and partnership arrangements. Useful for local context when exploitation affects adults.
  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/adult-safeguarding-prevention-and-protection-partnership-key-documents

Use these sources to inform local protocols, staff training, safe-contact processes and interpreter procedures, and to guide reflection on modern slavery concerns in general practice.