There is no one face to modern slavery. Victims can be colleagues, contractors brought in for temporary work, or people in the local community.
Victims are often hard to recognise. Those around them may not realise what is happening, and victims themselves may not know how to ask for help or may feel unable to. Some appear to have a degree of freedom, yet are controlled through fear, debt and threats.
Employers and organisations have a responsibility to manage modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. To meet these duties, staff need clear knowledge of what modern slavery is and how it appears in real situations. Training helps people challenge false assumptions, notice warning signs and act when something looks wrong.
The Scale of Modern Slavery in the UK
Modern slavery is far more common than most workplaces assume, and the numbers are rising.
- The House of Lords Modern Slavery Act 2015 Committee has cited an estimate of around 130,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK.
- In 2025, 23,411 potential victims were referred to the National Referral Mechanism — the highest annual total since the system began and a 22% rise on the previous year.
- Referrals have climbed sharply over the past decade, yet the people identified are only a fraction of the true total.
- Labour exploitation is the most commonly reported type, with construction, agriculture, hospitality and care among the sectors most affected.
- Of those referred in 2025, 70% were adults and 30% were children; children were most often exploited for criminal activity such as drug trafficking.
- Cases are recorded in every region of the UK, from major cities to rural areas.
These figures show modern slavery is not a remote or overseas problem. It occurs in ordinary UK workplaces and supply chains, which is why frontline staff are often best placed to spot it.
Are You Aware of Your Responsibilities?
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places two kinds of duty on organisations. Committing slavery, forced labour or human trafficking is a criminal offence. Separately, larger organisations must report publicly on the steps they take to keep it out of their business and supply chains.
That reporting duty sits in Section 54 of the Act. It applies to commercial organisations that carry on business in the UK and supply goods or services. It takes effect at a total annual turnover of £36 million or more, including subsidiaries, and requires an annual modern slavery statement.
Government guidance recommends that the statement covers:
- The organisation’s structure and supply chains
- Its policies on slavery and human trafficking
- The due diligence checks it carries out
- How it assesses and manages risk
- How it measures whether its actions are working
- The training it provides to staff
The government has announced reforms that would strengthen these requirements, including proposals to make these areas mandatory. The changes are not yet in force, so organisations should continue to report under the current rules — but the framework is expected to tighten.
Smaller organisations are not exempt from the risk. The criminal offences apply whatever the turnover, and businesses below the threshold are increasingly asked by larger customers to show they manage modern slavery risk. In every case, staff who can recognise the warning signs are central to meeting these duties.
About This Training
Modern slavery in workplaces and supply chains often goes unnoticed because victims are disguised as legitimate workers. They can be found in almost every sector and every area of the country.
This online Modern Slavery Training course provides employees with a clearer understanding of modern slavery and human trafficking risk in the UK. They will know what modern slavery looks like, how to spot it and what action to take if they do.
How This Training Benefits Your Business
Beyond protecting potential victims, the training helps your organisation meet its responsibilities and reduce risk. It helps your business:
- Demonstrate due diligence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Strengthen the credibility of an annual modern slavery statement where Section 54 applies
- Give staff a consistent understanding of the warning signs and how to report them
- Apply your modern slavery policy more consistently through better staff awareness and reporting
- Reduce the risk of slavery or trafficking going unnoticed in your workforce or supply chain
- Support ethical recruitment and procurement practices
- Protect your organisation’s reputation by acting before concerns escalate
Aims of This Training
This training course aims to build awareness of modern slavery and equip staff to act on it. It aims to:
- Help learners understand what modern slavery is and the different forms it takes
- Show where and how it occurs in UK workplaces and supply chains
- Build the confidence to recognise warning signs and challenge false assumptions
- Make staff aware of their responsibilities and the relevant law
- Ensure learners know how to report concerns and who to contact
