The UK Home Office paused public order disqualification decisions inside the National Referral Mechanism on 23 December 2025. The step sits inside statutory guidance titled "Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims" and applies to decisions issued under the Public Order Decision Making Framework at paragraph 14.275.

What does the pause change for affected victims?

Individuals whose POD decision was issued before 23 December 2025 and who require Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract support can email [email protected]. The subject line must read "Public Order Disqualification Support Request," the guidance specifies, and consent for data sharing with the Salvation Army is implied by that action under the Privacy Information Notice. Eligible financial support will be backdated under Annex F rules, with payments accruing only until four weeks after the notice first publishes.

Which other revisions came in the same update?

The recovery rate amount took effect from 1 May 2026, the guidance records in its change log on page 10. Paragraph 14.227 is no longer applied, following a legal judgment the document cites without naming. Officials are reviewing the reconsideration policy for negative reasonable and conclusive grounds decisions, and the wording cautions that text may shift again before the review concludes.

Who gained or lost First Responder status?

NSPCC no longer acts as a First Responder Organisation, while Refugee Council joined the list, according to the guidance. The change reshapes how local authorities and police forces route child potential victims into the NRM. First Responders carry the statutory duty to notify the Home Office of potential victims under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

What changed in the financial support section?

Annex F subsistence rates rose for individuals receiving outreach support in other accommodation, those with child dependents, and those receiving asylum support. The amendments sit at paragraphs 15.37 to 15.38 and 15.41. The catered essential living rate and the catered dependent payment were also revised, alongside the wider modernisation of MSVCC financial support rates at paragraphs 15.54, 15.55, and 15.58.

How did decision-making rules change?

The definition of sexual exploitation for modern slavery decision making was rewritten at paragraphs 2.26 to 2.36. Prioritisation criteria were added for Conclusive Grounds cases, and section 14.129 was reordered. Paragraphs 14.47 to 14.81 on reasonable grounds decisions were revised, alongside Chapter 8 and Annex E on reconsideration.

What about children and the devolved pilot?

Text covering the withdrawal of children from the NRM was inserted at paragraphs 14.250 to 14.254. The devolved decision-making pilot for child victims continues, with sites listed in the child to adult transition section, the guidance confirms. Forced labour exceptions were added to the policy, and case allocation at MAAPs was clarified.

What caveat should readers carry away?

The Home Office marks the publication as containing accessibility issues and asks screen reader users to request an accessible format via [email protected]. Officials have not set a date for ending the POD pause, and the document states only that updates will follow "when more information is available." Practitioners should treat the consolidation as a working file until the promised further update arrives, and verify any figure against the Annex F rate tables before advising a client.