FEATURE EMERGING ROLES
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Since being in this safehouse and engaging in activities I have felt joy for the first time in a long while .
A quote from a service user self-identity and encourage successful transition and integration in the community , enhanced emotional stability , vocational skills and improved participation in occupations such as rest , sleep , work and social activities . These can be achieved through solution-focused , graded and adapted approaches .
Alongside these goals , support will also include accessing basic human rights , the immigration process and participating in police investigations .
Occupational therapists can offer a vast amount to this specific third sector and I believe it is an area that needs to be recognised as a potential avenue for an occupational therapist ’ s knowledge and skills .
I want to encourage occupational therapists not to limit themselves only to traditional areas of work . But what part can we all play in spotting the signs of a trafficked person ?
Anyone could come into contact with a victim of modern slavery without realising it ; however , there are some tell-tale signs .
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Some are physical : they may look uneasy , unkempt , or malnourished ; they may have untreated injuries . Some are less obvious : someone paying for their travel ; someone speaking for them ; they may be picked up and dropped off from work at unusual times ; they may not be sure of their own address .
If you suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery and in need of help , call The Salvation Army confidential 24 / 7 referral helpline on tel : 0800 808 3733 . For additional guidance on the referral pathway for local authorities , please see the Modern Slavery protocol , published by the Home Office in June 2021 .
Reference
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( 2021 ) Human Trafficking . [ online ] Available at : www . unodc . org / unodc / en / human-trafficking / human-trafficking . html [ Accessed 10 May 2021 ]
Kezia Edridge , trained occupational therapist and specialist support worker with The Salvation Army anti-trafficking and modern-day slavery unit . Email : kezia . edridge @ salvationarmy . org . uk
26 OTnews November 2021