Home Office publishes new HTML version of modern slavery victim guidance

On 3 November 2026 the Home Office updated its "Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims" page. An accessible HTML version of the guidance has been added. Previously the guidance was available mainly as a 250-page PDF.

What the guidance covers

The document describes the signs that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, the support available, and the process for determining whether a person is a victim. For England and Wales it is statutory guidance, issued under section 49 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. In Scotland and Northern Ireland it is non-statutory.

It is aimed mainly at organisations and institutions rather than people seeking help themselves. The intended audience is:

• first responder organisations,
• bodies with a duty to notify the Home Office of potential victims,
• decision makers in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM),
• organisations supporting potential victims.

Earlier changes in 2026

The page has a long history of updates. A new "recovery rate" has applied since 1 May 2026, as announced in the update of 11 May 2026. That update also changed sections on credibility, including the timing of disclosure, on the definition of medical evidence, and on re-contacting first responders.

In July 2026 a notice was added following a court judgment: the policy at paragraph 14.227 of the guidance is no longer being applied. The update of 18 September 2026 concerned reconsiderations of negative decisions, and the one of 15 October 2026 reflected changes to the Immigration Rules.

What remains paused or under review

The Home Office says it is reviewing its policy on reconsidering negative NRM decisions ("reasonable grounds" and "conclusive grounds"). Decisions on public order disqualification have also been paused since 23 December 2025. People who received such a decision before that date and need support under the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract can email the Single Competent Authority. The email should carry the subject line "Public Order Disqualification Support Request".

What this means for you

The guidance is aimed chiefly at institutions, but it may be useful to anyone who wants to understand how victims are identified and supported. The full document, with its description of the signs and procedures, is available on GOV.UK in HTML and PDF.