Tackling Modern Slavery Conference 2026: Strengthening Frontline Responses
Overview
Despite legislative progress through the Modern Slavery Act 2015, modern slavery remains a persistent and evolving threat across the UK. Economic pressures, global displacement, labour shortages in key sectors, and organised criminal networks continue to drive exploitation. At the same time, the increasing politicisation of the National Referral Mechanism, combined with high evidential thresholds, has raised concerns among practitioners that genuine victims may struggle to access protection and support.
Past Supporters Include:
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Dr Daniel Ozarow, Senior Lecturer in HR Management, University of Middlesex (invited)
Keynote: Understanding the Modern Slavery Landscape: New Risks and Identifying Opportunities to Provide Support
- Examining the evolving patterns of modern slavery and human trafficking across the UK, including emerging sectors and forms of exploitation
- Identifying the key risks facing vulnerable populations and the factors driving exploitation, from labour shortages to organised crime networks
- Exploring opportunities to strengthen victim identification, improve access to support, and reduce the risk of re-trafficking
- Highlighting how multi-agency collaboration, government guidance, and survivor-centred approaches can be applied to deliver effective interventions
Eleanor Lyons, The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (invited)
Keynote: Improving Victim Identification and Support Through Effective use of the National Referral Mechanism
- Understanding the role of the National Referral Mechanism in identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery
- Key challenges facing the system, including evidential thresholds and decision delays
- Practical guidance for professionals on making effective referrals
- Opportunities to strengthen victim identification and improve access to support
Keynote: Improving Professional Responses to Victims of Human Trafficking
- Examining common failings in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases
- Understanding the barriers victims face within the criminal justice system and how systemic issues can impede access to justice
- Practical recommendations for police, prosecutors, and local authorities to improve identification, safeguarding, and case outcomes
- Encouraging stronger professional practice and multi-agency collaboration to ensure victims are treated effectively and fairly
Bernie Gravett, Director, Counter Trafficking Network (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Supporting Migrants at Risk of Labour Exploitation
- Understanding how migration status can increase vulnerability to exploitation
- Barriers preventing victims from reporting abuse
- Building trust with migrant communities and improving reporting pathways
- Strengthening collaboration between community organisations and statutory services
Case Study: Navigating Homelessness: Housing Challenges faced by Survivors of Modern Slavery
Dr Júlia Tomás, Human Trafficking Policy and Research Manager, The Passage (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch
Breakout Networking
Keynote: Identifying and Supporting Victims of Child Criminal Exploitation
- Understanding the connections between organised crime, county lines, and modern slavery
- Recognising the signs of criminal exploitation, grooming, and coercion in children and young people
- Early intervention strategies to safeguard vulnerable youth and prevent further exploitation
- Delivering effective support for children as victims, including trauma-informed care and safeguarding pathways
Simon Harding, Director, Criminology Services (invited)
Case Study: Tackling Modern Slavery in Public Sector Supply Chains
- Understanding how modern slavery risks can be embedded within public sector procurement processes
- Identifying key blind spots in procurement practices, including limited supplier requirements
- Practical steps for strengthening procurement frameworks to raise ethical standards
- Building awareness and capacity among procurement teams through targeted training on identifying exploitation and responding effectively when risks are identified
Professor Johanne Ward-Grosvold, Senior Lecturer, University of Bath (invited)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Using Technology to Prevent Human Trafficking
- The role of technology in identifying patterns of exploitation
- Using data and artificial intelligence to detect trafficking networks
- Ethical considerations and safeguarding concerns when using technology
- Opportunities for collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement
Maria Harb, Head of Prevention & Intelligence, STOP THE TRAFFIK (invited)
Case Study: Strengthening Long-Term Support for Survivors
- Understanding the long-term recovery needs of survivors
- Exploring ways to improve access to essential services such as legal advice, employment opportunities, safe accommodation, and mental health care
- Identifying effective approaches to reduce the risk of re-trafficking and further exploitation after leaving formal support systems
- Strategies for creating coordinated support systems across agencies
Dimple Ananda, Head of Modern Slavery Services, The Medaille Trust (invited)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Dr Daniel Ozarow, Senior Lecturer in HR Management, University of Middlesex (invited)
Conference Close
Previous Speakers Include:
Senior Representative
National Crime Agency
Dr. Simon Harding
Director
Criminology Services
Dragana Wright
Senior Counter-Trafficking Manager
Helen Bamber Foundation
Maria Harb
Head of Prevention & Intelligence
STOP THE TRAFFIK
Nick Herbert
Project and Partnerships Lead
Human Trafficking Foundation
David Camp
Founder
Stronger Together
Get in Touch
Testimonials
I really enjoyed the conference, I found it extremely helpful to hear from other agencies about how they are tackling modern slavery and human trafficking, and it gave me lots to think about in my own organisation
Excellent and well run conference with a range of valuable inputs
This training really improved my knowledge of Modern Slavery and has definitely opened my eyes as to what to look out for when visiting addresses/locations, and how to support victims of Modern Slavery. I would recommend this training to anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge in this field
There is a need for a centre led advice, instruction, networking service. This event ticked all of my expectations and hopes. I learnt something from every speaker which is testimony to its validity
Why You Should Attend
Why Attend?
✓ High level keynotes on the latest policy including identifying and reporting modern slavery and utilising data-informed approaches to tackle modern slavery
✓ Listen and learn from case studies from leading experts in developing and delivering services for slavery victims
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and colleagues from across the public sector
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Examples |
| DI/ DS/ DCIs | Local Council |
| Safeguarding Officers/Heads of Safeguarding | Police |
| Social Workers | Local and National Charites |
| Case Worker | Central Government |
| Councillor | Victim Support Services |
Pricing Options
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Point
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us using the enquiry form below.
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
