Debbie Huxton - B.Nurs (Hons) Email and Phone Number

Inspiring Change Through Community LeadershipAs the Modern slavery and violence prevention programme manager for Sandwell council. I have the unique opportunity to be a driving force in the fight against modern slavery, human trafficking, exploitation and violence prevention. My role within the local authority leading this critical initiative is a testament to Sandwells unwavering commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable, pursuing perpetrators, protecting the public and creating a safer community to live and work in. At the heart of my work lies Sandwells Slavery Human Trafficking Operational Partnership, a collaborative effort that brings together diverse stakeholders and partners to tackle these complex issues head-on. Aligning our community safety strategy and plans with the West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner, the West Midlands violence reduction partnership, LGA and Government strategies. Ensuring we are developing robust pathways to tackle modern slavery and serious violence. By coordinating this partnership, we are demonstrating the power of collective action, leveraging the expertise and resources of various organisations to make a tangible difference and developing a data set which evidences the results. Mapping Sandwell modern slavery footprint across the borough and tracking each of the six towns exploitation profile ensuring the right response for each referral. We are not only spearheading the strategic and operational response to Modern slavery and serious violence but also fostering a culture of understanding exactly what we are dealing with based on our data sets, which allows us to create awareness, up-skill our stakeholders and partners and ensure proactive early intervention, reducing reoffending, disrupting locations, gathering intelligence and shaping policies that govern these areas. Through education and guidance, the local authority with all of it’s teams work with the community to empower, educate and encourage recognition of the signs of exploitation, reporting of activity relating to modern slavery and serious violence which means we can respond by taking decisive steps to protect the borough. By leading the way with our gold standard approach we are sending a powerful message: that no one in our community will be left behind, we see, we hear and we respond and that together, we can overcome the challenges of modern slavery, human trafficking exploitation and violence prevention hidden in plain sight and happening in every town and city across the UK. Everyone deserves to live free, safe and well.