“Initial feelings of relief at getting a positive decision were very quickly over powered by fear of what now…”
For survivors of modern slavery, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the support system offered through the UK government. It is a ‘framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support’[1], consisting of a two stage decision process. This support is available after reasonable grounds have been established to believe that someone is a survivor of modern slavery (first decision) and until a conclusive grounds decision is made, which confirms following further investigation whether a person is a survivor of modern slavery (second decision).
The Home Office’s ad hoc statistical release[2] from October 2025 reveals the average wait time for a conclusive grounds decision has seen an 80% reduction. Whilst historically conclusive grounds decisions have taken years, they are now taking months. What does this reduction mean for people recovering from unimaginable hardship?
The support available through the NRM enables people to start their recovery. This acceleration reduces the period of uncertainty for survivors of modern slavery whilst also bringing valuable support to an end. For organisations like Rebuild East Midlands, which provides support to survivors of modern slavery either side of the NRM, the implications are tangible and immediate.
We asked a person who accessed our Initial Support project[3] earlier this year how the timing of their NRM decision made them feel:
“Initial feelings of relief at getting a positive [second] decision were very quickly over powered by fear of what now…
When support found me and suggested the NRM process….little glimmers of Hope started to break through the bleak darkness I was living….and then when we got the first decision as positive and with it came access to safety and support…..it felt like my life had been saved by this process…..finally safety and support together… It’s the greatest gift in the world….there’s no price tag high enough to label the value of safety!!!
So when the [second] decision came after only roughly 10 weeks of support and safety, given the extent of my trauma I knew that it was not possible to be healed enough to cope in the outside world within the 45 day period I had left……it felt like hope had been pulled from under me like someone pulling a rug quickly from under my feet!!!
Thankfully these feelings of hopelessness and despair were short lived as I have an incredible team advocating for me to be given the time I need to continue on my healing journey….who fully understand longer term safety and support is essential to prevent me from returning to a world of exploitation.”
There is no doubt that the NRM has played a significant role in safeguarding this person. However, in light of the quicker decision times, the need for sustained, long-term empowering support is essential to preventing re-exploitation and empowering people in a life free from exploitation. Rebuild’s integrated approach, combining immediate intervention with ongoing practical and emotional support, is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs. As the NRM process becomes more efficient, the role of organisations like Rebuild becomes even more critical in ensuring survivors are not just processed, but truly supported.
[1] National referral mechanism guidance: adult (England and Wales) – GOV.UK
[2] Additional statistics relating to modern slavery (October 2025) – GOV.UK
