Executive summary
Ensuring the right support for victims & vulnerable people is a key priority in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s 2024-29 Police and Crime Plan.
Victims of modern slavery and trafficking are particularly vulnerable. The response to this type of exploitation requires effective partnership working across a range of key local and national organisations.
The Cleveland Anti Slavery Network was established in April 2018, with the aims of:
- Developing strategic partnerships and collaborations with regional, national and international organisations to tackle Modern Slavery including other networks, partnerships and learning establishments.
- Facilitating the development of knowledge, information, data and skills across agencies and enable the sharing of good practice.
- Encouraging a victim focussed approach and good practice in victim care.
- Encouraging the development and identification of best practice, trends and patterns.
- Remaining abreast of current developments and initiatives locally, regionally and nationally relating to slavery and human trafficking.
- Identifying gaps in current provision.
An independent chair coordinates and drives the work of the network. Funding for the independent chair was initially covered solely by the PCC. However, after a two-year period, it was agreed funding contributions would be equally split between the PCC and the four Local Authorities, which make up Cleveland. This demonstrates a level of partnership buy-in to the network.
From April 2022, Cleveland and Durham PCCs jointly commissioned the independent chairing arrangements for a four-year period. The cost of the contract was £45,000 per annum (£22,5000 for Durham and £22,500 for Cleveland).
Benefits of expertise
While there have been benefits in sharing the expertise of the independent chair, the Durham and Cleveland networks have remained separate throughout. This was due to the different partnership landscapes in each area. In addition, the areas had different victimisation profiles. As a result, the arrangements have not delivered the efficiencies of scale initially anticipated.
As part of the re-commissioning review, a survey was sent to members of the Cleveland Anti-Slavery Network. The survey aimed to get their views on the value of the network, and specifically whether they felt that the independent chairing arrangements were beneficial.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Consultees felt that the network was successful in achieving its primary aims and objectives. Key areas of strength were sharing information on legislation changes and best practice together with horizon scanning.
Members valued the range of presentations, with the great wealth of experience and knowledge in many areas providing partners with a full picture of the issues being faced. Members felt that the network had been effective in identifying challenges and gaps in delivery, and in working in partnership to overcome these.
All those who responded felt that the independent chairing arrangements provided benefits. Consultees felt an impartial chair was in a better position to challenge local processes. They felt that the current post holder also brought experience from other areas of the country through their involvement with other national networks. The wealth of knowledge and experience from the current chair provided a huge benefit to the Cleveland network.
Other benefits noted regarding the independent chairing arrangements were keeping meetings focused and ensuring that the onus is not on one or two organisations to take forward the work needed but rather spread across the broad range of members.
This decision was discussed in a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner on 27 November 2025. Support for the approach set out below was agreed.