The Salvation Army's anti-trafficking work#
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a charity, and its anti-trafficking and modern slavery team is one part of a much larger organisation. Its How we support survivors page says it supports all adult survivors of modern slavery in England and Wales through a government contract first awarded in 2011, renewed and extended from January 2021. A news item of 16 October 2026 describes the contract as one it has managed with delivery partners since 2011. That is how its own pages put it on the day we read them; check its site for anything newer.
Its pages also note what many survivors have been through before they reach it: people trafficked into the UK often cannot speak English, have had their travel and identity documents taken, and have been threatened with harm to themselves or their families if they try to escape.
How a survivor is referred#
Support under the contract follows the National Referral Mechanism. Only authorised First Responders can refer someone: the police, Border Force, Home Office immigration staff, social services and certain charities, the Salvation Army among them. The Home Office then decides whether there are reasonable grounds to believe the person may be a victim; a positive decision opens a recovery and reflection period with support, followed later by a conclusive grounds decision. Adults who do not consent to a referral are reported to the Home Office anonymously instead. Children are referred alongside child protection and cared for by their local authority.
Its referral helpline is confidential and open around the clock, for anyone who suspects that they, or someone they know, is a victim. Its volunteer First Responder service is funded by donations rather than the contract, and someone destitute can be given a safe place to stay while waiting for a decision.
What support covers#
Under the contract, survivors can receive safe accommodation where needed, financial support, interpreting and translation, healthcare, specialist legal advice, schooling for children, transport to appointments and help planning what comes next, through safehouses or outreach. After a positive conclusive grounds decision, lighter Reach-In support is available from regional partners. Leaflets for people in the service come in 20 languages.
Outside the contract, two donor-funded schemes matter for rebuilding a life. A twelve-month mentoring service takes referrals from any professional for adults with a positive decision, and needs some basic English. The Survivors Support Fund has paid for deposits, furniture, uniforms and laptops.
Names during and after support#
The Salvation Army publishes nothing about changing a name. Its own case studies change survivors' names to protect them, which is a reminder that a different name in everyday use is not the same as a legal change. You can go by another name without a deed poll, as long as you are not using it to deceive anyone, though official records will keep your legal name; using another name explains the difference. Because a deed poll takes effect on the day it is signed, there is no waiting period to plan around, and it can wait until you have support and advice; when can I use my new name? covers the timing. For immigration records, see Migrant Help.
This page describes what The Salvation Army publishes on its own website, read on 26 October 2026. The Salvation Army has not reviewed it, and listing a charity here does not mean it recommends this handbook or any deed poll service.
