The research team from the University of Bedfordshire has seen its work play a key role in shaping the new legislation. Clause 48 of the Bill defines the role of independent specialist advocates who will make sure trafficked children’s rights are respected by public authorities.

In July 2014, the research team at the University was appointed by the Home Office to independently evaluate a Child Trafficking Advocate (CTA) trial run by the children’s charity Barnardo’s.

The team from Bedfordshire is evaluating Barnardo’s work to establish what difference the specialist advocate scheme makes for trafficked children, compared to the existing provision, run by local authorities.

The role of a CTA is to:

• Help trafficked children understand what is happening to them, and speak up for them where necessary, and
• Enhance timely, clear and consistent decision making by stakeholders in criminal justice, immigration and social care services

Professor of Child Welfare, Ravi Kohli, who leads the team from the University said: “The University is at the cutting edge of research in enhancing the protection of trafficked children. We are proud to be working with the UK Government and Barnardo’s in doing all we can to make sure that these children are safe.”

The team’s interim evaluation findings are based on the first four and a half months of the trial in which 59 children were allocated to the child trafficking advocates trial. The findings focus on the process of early implementation of the trial and early lessons learned about the role of advocates. So far, there is good evidence of advocates safeguarding children’s rights and meeting their needs.

The final evaluation report will be published after the trial ends in September and will draw on a wider range of data.

“It is critical,” said Professor Kohli “We take an evidence based approach to ensure that we provide the very best support and protection for this extremely vulnerable group of children.”

The evaluation team from the University of Bedfordshire are Professor Ravi Kohli; Dr Patricia Hynes; Dr Helen Connolly; Dr Angela Thurnham; David Westlake ; and Dr Kate D’Arcy.