Working with LEAP

LEAP can offer the development and delivery of training, provide expert advice on policy documents, research and guidance, join round tables, speak at conferences, sit on interview panels, consult on materials as a group or individually.

Train the Trainer Project

LEAP started through the Human Trafficking Foundation’s Train the Trainer project, where each consultant took part in an intensive three week programme to develop the skills required to deliver their own training to professionals in the anti-slavery sector. You can learn more about this programme here.

Publications

Co-Working Between Lived and Learnt Experience

This report contains a write up of the presentations given at the Advisory Forum jointly hosted by LEAP and the Human Trafficking Foundation. The event, Co-Working Between Lived and Learnt Experience, explored effective and ethical co-working within the anti-trafficking sector. The report includes practical tips and resources for co-working.

Open Letter to the Prime Minister (2023)

Members of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel wrote an Open Letter to the Prime Minister outlining their concerns of the impacts of the Illegal Migration Bill on survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery, which was been co-signed by various survivor groups and individuals across the UK. Read the letter here.

LETTER TO THE SECTOR

A member of LEAP wrote an open letter to the anti-trafficking sector which describes the need to listen and amplify the voices of those with lived experience of modern slavery and co-work together to strive for change. Read the letter here.

LEAp report July 2022 - July 2023

All of the projects LEAP took part in during this time can be found in the annual report.

FEEDBACK FOR LEAP

“Really insightful training. It was human focused and heart felt with sharing of personal stories which enhanced the human element to the training.”

“Really well deep documented presentation with real life experience from the speaker. Very powerful. It is very insightful as we professionals never quite see the whole story.”

“I think everyone involved in this area of work and with an active interest in this area should do this course. One of the most powerful courses i have been on in a while thanks to all the trainer kindly shared with us all.”

“Thank you, one of the best trainings I have ever attended. Your LEAP consultant should write a book.”

Letter of thanks for LEAP consultation from the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime (MSOIC) Unit Head, Det Supt Tamasine Matthews.

Introduction

The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) was established by it’s members and the Human Trafficking Foundation in 2022 to ensure the expertise of those with lived-experience is embedded in the work of the anti-trafficking sector. LEAP have worked together for almost four years to strengthen responses to modern slavery and human trafficking at a national and local level.

The LEAP is made up of independent consultants who co-work on commissioned projects and training requests from the sector, alongside their own personal projects. LEAP works collaboratively to support others in the sector, and to advocate for meaningful engagement of people with lived experience.

LEAP share knowledge through the delivery of modern slavery training to improve the response of First Responders, statutory agencies, NGOs and other relevant bodies to bring lived experiences into learning to help improve understanding, attitudes and services available. LEAP shape research and policy, by consulting with Government, Parliament and other anti-trafficking organisations, providing expert advice on practice and guidance on supporting survivors of modern slavery.

LEAP is now accepting new commissions. To submit a request for LEAP consultancy and for pricing please submit a completed expression of interest form.

leap projects

Modern Slavery Survivor Self-IdentIFICATION TOOL (SIT)

LEAP have created a Self Identification Tool (SIT), an innovative new tool, designed by survivors for survivors to help explain their experiences and self-identify in interview settings. The SIT will help communication in interview settings between all participants, supporting frontline professionals and organisations to effectively identify and support survivors, while empowering survivors to engage in these interviews in the first instance. Translated versions of the SIT can be found here.

Council of Europe

LEAP were invited by the Council of Europe to attend a conference held in Malta, and speak on the importance of meaningful survivor engagement. LEAP met directly with the Human Rights Directorate of Malta, and survivors working with the Maltese Government, to establish a system of survivor engagement. LEAP’s follow up paper gave clear recommendations for good practice and systemic change.

"I want to express our sincere gratitude for the elaborative and well-constructed paper, this is incredible work, please extend our thanks to LEAP. The designing of the agenda for the main conference was made possible by the presentation and work of LEAP, the work was unanimously agreed on by the Malta govt. The direct impact of LEAP’s work was clear.” - Council of Europe

Work with GOvernments & Parliament

LEAP have regularly been invited by Parliamentary bodies to provide evidence to inquiries. This includes the Home Affairs Select Committee and the House of Lords Modern Slavery Act (2015) Committee. International bodies such as the Council of Europe and GRETA have also consulted with LEAP.

The Welsh Government has commissioned LEAP several times to support with the development of training materials, guidance, and to speak at national conferences.

Work with Law Enforcement & the justice system

The Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit (MSOIC) requested LEAP’s support to review the victims section of the Investigative Opportunities for Offences Under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Resulting in the updating of the national guidance for all UK law enforcement for investigating modern slavery cases. Furthermore, LEAP, together with the Metropolitan Police Central Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation training team, delivered training to 60 Met police officers, sharing insights into trauma informed best practice.

LEAP have been invited in successive years to speak at the HM Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS) annual conference on modern slavery. LEAP have supported training for Criminal Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales, on survivor informed prosecutions and support.

Work with Local Authorites

LEAP have worked with multiple local authorities across England and Wales. Birmingham City Council and Coventry City Council commissioned LEAP to review three stages of training for all local authority employees, consult on Birmingham’s Pre-NRM Casework Toolkit, and to support the development of the Coventry Protocol for Addressing Adult Modern Slavery.

LEAP has also supported Hackney, Islington, and Southwark Councils to develop and deliver bespoke training opportunities for staff on a range of topics. Additionally LEAP has been commissioned by Gravesham Borough Council to review training materials, and been invited to speak at events hosted by Lewisham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

input into Research

LEAP have recently developed research alongside:

• Hope for Justice, on housing and benefit systems. research into cognitive impairment & modern slavery

• International Organization for Migration, on reintegration and returns for survivors of modern slavery.

LEAP have previously worked with organisations such as the University of Nottingham Rights Lab, the British Institute of Comparative Law, and on the development of the IMSA model.

Public Speaking Engagements

In the past year, LEAP has delivered talks for the Welsh Government, Causeway, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), The Salvation Army, and Hope for Justice..

The Lived Experience Advisory Panel is supported administratively by the Human Trafficking Foundation. The views of LEAP are their own.