Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG (): I am today announcing the
award of a new £25 million national contract for the Independent
Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service, which provides
specialist support to potential and confirmed child victims of
trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation in England and
Wales.
Following a robust procurement process, the contract has been
awarded to Barnardo's. The service will provide independent
advocacy and support to children referred into the National
Referral Mechanism, alongside specialist advice and expertise for
the professionals working with them. Drawing on expertise in
child trafficking, modern slavery and exploitation, ICTGs
strengthen multi-agency safeguarding responses, help protect
children from further harm, support their recovery, reduce the
risk of re-trafficking and ensure that their best interests are
central to decisions affecting their care and future.
Since its introduction in 2017, the ICTG pilot service has
expanded in phases and now operates across two-thirds of local
authorities in England and Wales. The service has played an
important role in strengthening safeguarding arrangements and
supporting children's recovery. However, phased expansion has
resulted in uneven access to support and the absence of a
consistent national offer.
The need for specialist support is clear and, in the year ending
March 2025, the ICTG service received 2,730 referrals of
potential child victims of modern slavery, an increase of 10 per
cent on the previous year. More than half of those referrals
involved UK national children, demonstrating that trafficking and
exploitation is affecting children and communities across the
country.
The new contract will build on the success of the existing model
and support the delivery of a nationally consistent service.
Working alongside local authorities, the police and other
safeguarding partners, it will ensure that all children
identified as potential or confirmed victims of trafficking,
modern slavery and exploitation will have access to this
specialist service.
The Government remains firmly committed to Independent Child
Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs), with this commitment reflected in
the measures set out in the Immigration and Asylum Bill. This £25
million investment underscores our determination to tackle modern
slavery and safeguard vulnerable children, supporting the
objectives of the Violence Against Women and Girls
Strategy.
The Home Office will closely monitor delivery of the contract and
has committed to independent evaluation to ensure that the
service delivers positive outcomes for children and value for
money for the taxpayer.
