Latest News - Adults

The Home Office have been working to improve the transition from child to adult support structures for victims in the National Referral Mechanism – a number of changes went live as of 13/02/2026.

Policy change

• A decision has been taken to allow any potential victim who was referred into the NRM as a child, but has not had their Conclusive Grounds (CG) decision upon turning 18, to provide their consent to remain in the NRM verbally or in writing.
• Similarly, all adults in the NRM (including those who were referred into the NRM as a child), may withdraw from the NRM verbally or in writing.
• These changes have been introduced to standardise consent policy for all potential victims, and is designed to support victims who are unable or hesitant to complete and sign a written form.

 

• For a potential victim to provide their decision verbally, they must do so through a professional in a First Responder Organisation.
• Professionals will need to have a conversation with the potential victim (only once they have turned 18 if transitioning to adulthood), ensuring that they understand the impact of their decision and it is informed.
• The professional should then sign and return the relevant consent/withdrawal form to the appropriate Competent Authority.
• These forms contain support for professionals on having these informed conversations with potential victims.

 

To confirm, a potential victim may still complete the relevant form themselves to consent to the NRM / to withdraw from the NRM in writing and return this to the relevant Competent Authority. Allowing potential victims to provide decisions verbally aims to make consent and withdrawal processes smoother by creating an alternative avenue for providing decisions.

 

More information about how this will work can be found at the ‘Child to Adult Transition Pathway’ at Modern Slavery: statutory guidance for England and Wales (under s49 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015) and non-statutory guidance for Scotland and Northern Ireland (accessible version) - GOV.UK.

 

• In England and Wales, the MSVCC support provider should contact young people around six weeks before their 18th birthday to discuss the support available through the MSVCC and what it offers.
• Before this happens, the SCA will ask the professional supporting the young person, usually the Local Authority or the ICTG service, to confirm that the young person agrees to their name and phone number being shared with the MSVCC provider.
• If the young person does not agree to this, the MSVCC will not reach out to them.
• The conversation may also take place via the professional’s contact number, provided the young person is present.
• Calls may come from an “unknown number” to safeguard the young person.
• Professionals are encouraged to support the young person during and after this discussion, so they can make an informed decision about whether they wish to remain in the NRM and access adult support, if eligible, once they turn 18.

Please see below useful resources:

Information Pack for Young People in the NRM Turning 18

Understanding the NRM: A guide for Primary School Aged Children

Understanding the NRM: A guide for Secondary School Aged Children

 

Locala Sexual Health - New Services

Locala Sexual Health will take delivery of a new 'Clinic in a Van' in Spring 2026 to support Sexual Health and Contraceptive needs for people in Greater Manchester (Stockport, Tameside, Wigan, and Leigh). There will be 2 clinical rooms, with a toilet on board - meeting all the Infection and Prevention standards to be expected from mainstream clinics. More information can be found here.

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week

NHS England have launched a campaign for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, to raise awareness of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). These services offer dedicated care and support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused at any time in their life and are available to call 24 hours a day across England. Further information on how SARCs can help and contact details can be found below.

Campaign materials

All campaign materials are available by registering for a free account on the Department of Health and Social Care campaign resource centre, which includes the following:

• General SARC animation
• SARC animation for young people
• Campaign film
• Campaign posters – these feature (1) a female of sixth form / uni age and (2) a male of sixth form / uni age
• Social media assets – including a new carousel, which you can see on our @NHSUK X account
• Digital screens
• Infographics

Materials are available for your use at any time, as and when appropriate.

How SARCs can help

SARCs provide a range of free specialist care, treatment and support to people of all ages, whatever their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes; immediate emotional support, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception, and testing and assessment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. They can also arrange referrals to sexual health, mental health and sexual violence services as well as support from an independent sexual violence advisor.

Despite these specialist services being available across England, many sexual assault and abuse survivors do not know where to go or who to turn to for help. We also know that some people are put off seeking help due to thinking they need to speak to the police. Help is still available from a SARC without having to talk to the police or report what happened. 

Getting in touch with a SARC 

Individuals can contact a  SARC 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to book an appointment. St Mary's Centre :: Professionals is the SARC that is local to Bury. For more information on help following sexual assault and abuse and SARCs, visit  www.nhs.uk/sarcs.  

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