The Authority is exploring supplier interest in applying to a competed grants application process to embed and deliver Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) into additional sites across England (Wales is already covered by ICTG provision).

Subject to funding, the Authority's intention is to expand ICTGs into areas where there is greatest need - specifically, where there are the highest number of child trafficking victims, including where levels of child criminal exploitation through county lines are most prevalent.

Delivery of ICTGs in the additional sites must comply with all relevant provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including section 48 (which is not yet commenced), and any secondary legislation or statutory guidance made under the Act.

Compliance with all other relevant legal obligations including but not limited to the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004, Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 and relevant case law is also required.

The requirement would be for the provision of ICTGs to all potential victims of child trafficking in the additional sites.

Following the government's response to the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 on Section 48 which provides provision for ICTGs, there would also be a requirement to deliver the accepted recommendations which are: -to keep open and continue discussing cases of children that go missing while in the ICTG service until the child is found; -for each region to undertake a preliminary audit of existing child trafficking services available, to construct a bespoke ICTG service that complements the work of other public authorities; -to closely monitor the ICTG service to ensure ICTG practitioners act in the child's best interests and resource is being allocated appropriately and; -that ICTGs not be required to have formal social work qualifications on appointment, but that they should have other relevant experiences relevant to child trafficking, criminal justice, social care, asylum and immigration.

The delivery of ICTGs in additional sites would be expected to achieve such outcomes as, but not limited to: -Children are kept safe (for example, advocating for children to be placed in suitable accommodation, giving advice and guidance that prevents children from going missing and doing everything possible to help find them if they do and/or have contact with traffickers, gangmasters etc.) -Demonstrable and evidenced added value to existing statutory services that ensures safety and improves recovery of children (e.g. in relation to care planning, education and health, including mental health, and positive experiences of, and help in, navigating the care system when and where appropriate and as appropriate the immigration and criminal justice system) -All children referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), and subject to positive reasonable grounds and positive conclusive grounds decisions are provided with support of an ICTG.