Below are some of the key pieces of legislation that deal with child trafficking and modern slavery in England.

• Online Safety Act 2023 - this landmark legislation requires online platforms to proactively identify, prevent, and remove content linked to child exploitation and trafficking, including in private or encrypted spaces. The failure to protect children online now carries severe penalties such as heavy fines and possible criminal charges for senior executives. 
• Slavery and Human Trafficking (Definition of Victim) Regulations 2022 - it legally defines who qualifies as a victim of slavery or human trafficking in the UK, ensuring that both children and adults are recognised regardless of consent. These definitions standardise victim identification, helping authorities provide protection and support through mechanisms like the National Referral Mechanism. 
• Nationality and Borders Act 2022 - the Act reformed the UK's asylum and immigration system, introducing stricter rules that limit protections for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. It allows authorities to refuse support to potential victims based on delayed disclosure or public order grounds, which can particularly impact trafficked children and vulnerable individuals. 
• Immigration Act 2016 - the Act strengthened the UK's approach to tackling illegal working and exploitation, including measures targeting modern slavery and trafficking. It introduced new offences for illegal working, extended enforcement power, and required public authorities to report suspected victims of trafficking, supporting earlier identification and intervention. 
• Modern Slavery Act 2015 - the UK's primary legislation for combating slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking. It established offences for modern slavery; introduced tougher sentencing; created the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and mandated businesses to report on steps taken to prevent exploitation in their supply chains. 
• Immigration Act 2014 - the Act aimed to create a 'hostile environment' for illegal migration in the UK by restricting access to housing, banking, driving licenses, and public services. While not directly focused on trafficking, its enforcement-first approach unintentionally deterred trafficked children and adults from seeking help, as their immigration status may have been prioritised over their victimhood. 
• Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 - the Act reformed UK immigration control by tightening citizenship requirements and formalising border operations. Its provisions around border security and immigration enforcement contributed to the broader framework that affected identification and protection of trafficking victims, including children. 
• Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act 2004 - the Act introduced measures to prevent immigration abuse, including penalties for document destruction and provisions to fast-track removal of claimants. Its enforcement focus can impact trafficked children by creating barriers to asylum claims and limiting protection of their trafficking experience are not quickly disclosed or recognised. 
• Children Act 2004 - this key legislation that underpins child protection, requiring all agencies to prioritise the welfare of children, including those trafficked or exploited. It places legal duties on local authorities and safeguarding partners to identify and support trafficked children as victims of abuse, ensuring their needs are addressed through child welfare frameworks rather than immigration control. 
• Human Rights Act 1998 - the Act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law which protects fundamental rights like freedom from slavery and inhumane treatment. It provides a legal basis for trafficked children and adults to challenge failures in protection or support, ensuring their rights are considered above immigration or enforcement priorities. 
• The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations, Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers (updated February 2025) - it provides statutory guidance to local authorities on supporting care leavers aged 16-17, ensuring their receive personalised transition plans to help them successfully move into adulthood. While it focused on young people exiting care, its welfare-first, multi-agency approach reinforced protections for those who may have been trafficked by prioritising consistent oversight, planning and support during a vulnerable life stage.
• The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulation, Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (updated July 2021) - it establishes the legal framework for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, placing a duty on local authorities to protect children at risk, including those trafficked. Its provisions support early intervention, child protection planning, and statutory responsibilities for identifying and supporting trafficked children as victims of abuse and exploitation.