Support for adult victims of trafficking and exploitation - guidance: consultation analysis

14. Question 12 – Transition Support

Question: Does the guidance set out clearly the transition support available to adult victims of human trafficking?

Positive Comments

Some respondents stated that transition support was clearly set out, including the range of transition options available to adults. Clarity around the length of transition support was also considered helpful, including the differences in support dependent on the outcome of the NRM process.

Need for further clarity

It was felt that while this section provided useful information, there was a lack of clarity around responsibilities for transition planning including who was responsible for supporting access to other services or ensuring continued support from other systems.

It was suggested the guidance should acknowledge the challenges in accessing mainstream services such as housing, healthcare and benefits which can be difficult to access without active support to navigate the processes. This should be complemented by more emphasis on the cliff-edge transition points.

Clarification was requested about the decision-making process and criteria related to the ending of statutory entitlement to support. Regulations state that following a positive RG decision, individuals can access the 90-day relevant period for support; however, the guidance suggests that a person can be transitioned out of specialist support at any point in their recovery journey when this support is no longer required. The guidance should set out how this is assessed.

Responses suggested that the guidance should more clearly set out the scenarios for exiting support in this section. It was felt that there needed to be more clarity about the 14-day exit timeline following a negative RG decision and the differentiation between that and the 21 days of move-on support following a negative CG decision, as well as the type of support available during these periods. The support following a positive CG decision should also be made clearer.

The guidance should be clear about whether a person can enter support before a positive RG decision is received.

Suggested additions to the Guidance

Greater detail and clarity is needed when considering long term housing pathways, employment support, education and training opportunities, community integration and ongoing mental health support.

It was suggested that the guidance could offer more detail in relation to employment which should be individually tailored. The guidance should consider the role of specialist trafficking staff and how employment opportunities can be shared. Concerns around the skilled worker visa scheme were raised, with the employer holding influence due to the impact of the visa on immigration status.

Victim Support Scotland’s Emergency Assistance Fund should be highlighted to remind support organisations that this support is available and victims can also view the support that is available.

Other concerns or comments

It was suggested that sections 6.8.3, 6.8.4 and 6.8.6 may be more helpfully located within an alternative area of the guidance alongside other forms of support that can be accessed.