Adult victims of human trafficking and exploitation: guidance on support - consultation: easy read

National Referral Mechanism or NRM for short

The NRM is the UK system to recognise and support victims of human trafficking or exploitation.

First responders are people and organisations who can add someone new into the NRM.

This is also called referring someone.

Referrals are sent in using the NRM online portal, and guidance is in the NRM toolkit.

Referrals into the NRM can only happen:

• if the adult consents – this means they agree to be referred

Children must always be referred.

Information about first responders is on page 8 of this document.

Decisions about referrals are made by the UK Government Single Competent Authority (SCA) or the Immigration Enforcement Competent Authority (IECA).

The decisions are made in 2 stages:

1. Reasonable Grounds decision: a first assessment using early information

When a positive Reasonable Grounds decision is made, Scottish Ministers must give the support they think the adult needs.

This can be for 90 days or until a Conclusive Grounds decision is taken – whichever comes first.

2. Conclusive Grounds decision – a final decision

A Conclusive Grounds decision is made when there is enough information to decide if the person has been trafficked or exploited.

When a young person turns 18 they must consent to continue to be in the NRM.

Sometimes a child may need to be referred to Guardianship Scotland.

Guardianship Scotland supports children without parents or guardians in the UK who may be victims of trafficking.

They can be supported until they are 26.