Dr. Júlia Tomás, from The Passage, one of the largest resource centres for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in London, introduces a new report with recommendations for preventing modern slavery.
The Passage was the first organisation in the UK to identify the intersection between homelessness and modern slavery. Through frontline services and strategic partnerships – nationally and internationally – we’ve worked to tackle the conditions that allow exploitation to take root. At the heart of this work lies one principle: prevention.
Prevention is not just a response, it’s a responsibility. It is the first pillar of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s (IASC) Strategic Plan, and the foundation of our latest joint report: Enhancing Modern Slavery Prevention within the Homelessness Sector in the UK. This research sets out an urgent case for embedding prevention into homelessness services at every level: from policy design to local delivery.
We launched the report on 23 June 2025, bringing together survivors, practitioners, policymakers, and sector leaders to explore its findings. You can watch the full launch event here: Enhancing Modern Slavery Prevention within the Homelessness Sector in the UK
Drawing on 14 initiatives across the UK, the report provides an overview of existing prevention efforts, including third sector programmes, local and combined authority strategies, and the effectiveness of current legislation. It spotlights examples of good practice but also identifies key gaps and opportunities for system-wide change.
Survivors have been central to this work. Policy must start with the voices of those most affected and we are proud that the recommendations in this report were co-produced with individuals who have experienced both homelessness and exploitation. Their insights shaped our findings and made clear that early intervention (i.e. stable housing, informed staff, cross-sector coordination) can and does make a difference.
The report sets out nine practical recommendations, informed by survivors, practitioners and partners across the four UK nations. These range from mandatory training for housing professionals to national leadership on prevention and dedicated funding for early intervention.
Collaboration is key. Whether through joint commissioning, shared data protocols, or devolved-local partnerships, the sector must work together to stop exploitation before it happens. Government, too, has a crucial role to play. While the Home Office’s Action Plan is a welcome step, it lacks the cross-departmental approach needed to address structural risk factors such as housing insecurity, immigration barriers and precarious employment. A comprehensive Modern Slavery Strategy, one that unites all departments, is overdue.
We achieve more when we work together than when we act in silos. It is our hope that this report supports a growing movement to build prevention into our homelessness response, so that fewer people fall through the cracks, and more are protected before the harm is done.