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Modern Slavery and Exploitation in Homelessness Contexts

Developing18 min read

Modern slavery is not a rare or distant problem. It happens across the UK, in communities most people live and work in, and it intersects significantly with homelessness. People experiencing homelessness are both at higher risk of being exploited and are more likely to come into contact with services that can identify and support them.

This module introduces modern slavery and exploitation — what they are, how they intersect with homelessness, how to identify the signs, and what to do if you suspect someone is being exploited. It draws on the Home Office Modern Slavery Training Resource (updated March 2026).

This is a Developing-level module within Subject 4: Safeguarding. It is not intended to make you a specialist — it is intended to give you enough knowledge to identify concerns and know where to take them.

This module does not cover all forms of exploitation in detail. Your organisation's safeguarding procedures and specialist services are the appropriate resource for complex cases.