Overview

This bill transfers responsibility for safeguarding and caring for child victims of human trafficking from local authorities to the central government in England and Wales. The Secretary of State will be responsible for establishing and overseeing their care.

Description

The bill amends the Children Act 1989. Specifically, it removes the local authority's responsibility (outlined in Section 17) for children who are victims of human trafficking within their area. Instead, Section 2 of the (proposed) Child Victims of Human Trafficking (Central Government Responsibility) Act 2016 will apply. This new section establishes the Secretary of State's responsibility for the safeguarding and care of these children. The Secretary of State will create provisions for their protection and can issue regulations to implement these provisions.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify the financial implications of the transfer of responsibility. Increased government spending on services for child victims of human trafficking is likely, though the exact amount is not detailed within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Child victims of human trafficking: They will experience a change in the agency responsible for their care, potentially affecting the quality and consistency of services received.
• Local authorities: They will lose their responsibility for these children and the associated funding, potentially leading to a redistribution of resources.
• Central government: They will assume responsibility for the care and protection of child victims of human trafficking, requiring significant resource allocation.
• Organizations supporting child victims of human trafficking: These organizations may see shifts in funding and collaboration depending on the central government's implementation of the new responsibilities.

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