Written evidence submitted by Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service (GPTS) (MSA0107)

 

Current Support provision for victims of trafficking in Scotland

 

In Scotland, the Scottish Government funds TARA and Migrant Help to provide specialist support for all adult victims of human trafficking. Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service (GPTS) is funded by the Scottish Government to provide early assessment and psychological therapy as required to support all adult victims of human trafficking in their psychological recovery. This has been a very successful development /partnership in the following ways:

 

 

1.               All adult victims can access psychological therapy during the recovery period and following a conclusive grounds decision. 

 

This ensures that the mental health needs of victims of trafficking (Ottisova et al, 2016) during the recovery period are met. It also ensures that special measures are put into place when required to increase the likelihood of good legal outcomes. It is recognised that psychological recovery continues beyond the conclusive grounds decision and many victims require longer-term treatment for mental health difficulties and to reduce risk of revictimisation.

 

2.               First Responders in Scotland (Migrant Help and TARA) receive training and fortnightly consultation from GPTS.

 

This ensures care and support provided by First Responders is trauma informed and that there is a seamless referral pathway for clients who require specialist psychological assessment and treatment.  Staff welfare is also promoted in recognition of the impact of working with trauma victims and the potential for vicarious traumatisation.

 

3.              Active liaison and training with mental health, statutory and third sector networks.

 

In line with the National Trauma Framework in Scotland to support and increase capacity and skills for those who have contact with people affected by trauma (NHS Education Scotland, 2017), we offer information, consultation and training on an as needs basis to make sure the systems victims are involved with are trauma informed and recovery focused. 

 

4.              Provision of psychological reports to inform NRM and Asylum decisions. 

 

As part of this work, recommendations are made to advise solicitors, Home Office or the police of special measures, which ensure their contact with victims is trauma-informed and increase victims ability to engage with the legal process.

 

5.              Membership of Government Strategy Action Area 1 Implementation Group.

 

This group is chaired by Scottish Government officials and enables key partners to come together to deliver key outcomes in relation to action area 1 of Scottish Government trafficking strategy: Identifying victims and supporting them to safety and recovery.    

 

Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service (GPTS) also provides psychological assessment and therapy to child victims of trafficking in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and training and consultation to multidisciplinary partners.

  1. Child victims of trafficking (CvoT) can be referred to GPTS if as part of child protection procedures there is a concern about a child VoT’s mental health
  2. CvoT will receive psychological therapy as required
  3. Legal reports can inform NRM and/asylum procedures
  4. GPTS can assist in helping to ensure that all procedures involving children are trauma informed e.g. new age assessment guidelines, child protection trafficking procedures
  5. Staff and multiagency partners receive training and consultation in psychological needs of child trafficking victims
  6. Membership of the Child Trafficking Strategy Group informs practice and development.

 

 

Future directions for improving support offered to victims in relation to psychological needs of victims

 

1)  All Competent Authority staff and First Responders should be aware of the psychological impact of trafficking and receive training to enable them to work and support victims of trafficking using a trauma informed approach with knowledge of where to refer victims for specialist psychological assessment and treatment.

 

2) Competent Authority to review existing practice to ensure that the NRM process for victims of trafficking is quicker.

 

A recent audit conducted in our service highlighted that 46 adults referred to our service had waited longer than 90 days for a conclusive ground decision (Feb, 2018).  The length of time someone has to wait impacts on their asylum, mental health, integration and recovery.  Many adults we support, often witness others receiving decisions by the competent authority sooner, with little information from the competent authority explaining why their application is taking longer.  Decision making time has to reduce with the competent authority having increased resources and capacity to review cases sooner and communicate with adults who are waiting longer for decisions.

 

3) There needs to be better multi agency input into the trafficking decisions to improve quality and transparency of the decision making process.

 

4) Leave to remain for all victims who receive a conclusive grounds decision.

 

The psychological impact of human trafficking extends beyond the recovery period.  Victims, regardless if they are involved with a police investigation or prosecution should receive at the very least 12 months leave to remain, to recover from their experiences.

 

5) Care and support should continue beyond the conclusive grounds decision.

 

Many victims report that recovery only starts when their trafficking and immigration status has been resolved and current safety has been established.  Supporting victims to recovery and reducing risk of re-victimization and re-trafficking requires longer term support, beyond the 90 day period. 

 

6) Child victims of Trafficking should not enter the NRM

 

Support for children who have been identified as potential victims of human trafficking is provided within the context of Scotland’s child protection system. We are of the opinion that entering the NRM is not in the best interests of the child.  The NRM does not increase or add to the existing care and protection provided within the child protection system; it is not child-friendly, can be re-traumatising and often results in delaying the asylum process.  

 

September 2018

 

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