A significant £25 million investment has been announced to extend the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTG) service across all local authorities in England and Wales. This crucial funding aims to ensure consistent, national support for child survivors of modern slavery and trafficking, providing them with independent advocates to navigate complex systems and access vital help.
The ICTG service offers dedicated guardians for children identified as potential victims of trafficking, exploitation, or modern slavery. These guardians act as independent supporters, speaking up for children, clarifying intricate decisions and processes, and ensuring they receive appropriate assistance at critical times. Their work also involves collaborating with local authorities, police, and other safeguarding teams to prioritise the child's safety, needs, and future well-being, helping to prevent re-exploitation.
Demand for the ICTG service is on the rise. In the year leading up to March 2025, guardians assisted 2,730 potential child victims of modern slavery, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Over half of these children were UK nationals, with many falling victim to criminal exploitation, such as the county lines drug trade. The guardians' work encompasses a wide range of support, from accompanying children to appointments and advocating for their health needs to enrolling them in school, identifying potential compensation, and helping them access legal or immigration experts.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Natalie Fleet, highlighted the profound impact of child trafficking, stating that survivors often experience lasting trauma and fear. She emphasised that the £25 million investment would provide more child survivors with specialist support and guidance, enabling them to begin the process of healing and rebuilding trust. The Home Secretary recently outlined reforms to strengthen protections for modern slavery victims, aiming to crack down on abuse of the system while safeguarding those genuinely in need.
The ICTG service began as a pilot in 2014 and has expanded in phases, currently operating in 160 local authorities across England and Wales, representing two-thirds of the total. This latest funding injection will facilitate the service's rollout to the remaining 179 local authorities, all of which are located in England. Trusted children's charity Barnardo’s, which has delivered the ICTG service since 2017, will continue to provide this crucial support for the next four years following a competitive bidding process.