Debbie Huxton, Modern Slavery and Violence Prevention Programme Manager at Sandwell Council, is coordinating our regional councils’ efforts to tackle exploitation.
Our International Recruitment Programme’s Lunch and Learn series, aimed at local authorities, and ongoing legal webinars are affirmative actions against exploitation in international recruitment within the care sector. By triangulating known intelligence on unethical employers and utilising council soft intelligence, safeguarding reports, CQC ratings, and council quality assurance mechanisms, we will ensure high standards in recruitment practices and safeguard both international recruits and the domestic workforce.
Debbie will also be leading a Quarterly Webinar Series designed to build awareness, share best practice, and foster collaboration across local authorities, care providers and agencies working across the region.
Webinar 1: Why Now? The urgency of addressing exploitation in international recruitment
Date: 20 October 2025, 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Speakers will include Debbie Huxton (Sandwell MBC), a representative from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and survivor testimony. The will discuss:
- Current trends and risks
- Legal and ethical responsibilities
- The human impact of exploitation
Webinar 2: Spotting the Signs: Early Identification and Intervention
Date: 19 January 2026 – 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Speakers will include a social work practitioner, NHS safeguarding lead and labour market enforcement expert. They will discuss:
- Key indicators of exploitation
- Case examples
- Practical tools for frontline staff
Webinar 3: Working Together: Multi-Agency Responses to Exploitation
Date: 23 March 2026 – 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Speakers will include someone from the Police Modern Slavery Unit, a Local Authority Safeguarding Board representative and NGO or charity supporting international care workers. They will discuss how we can strengthen collaboration across agencies and will cover:
- Multi-agency case studies
- Information sharing protocols
- Building stronger local safeguarding networks
