Competent Authorities may consider requests to reconsider negative Reasonable Grounds or Conclusive Grounds decisions submitted after the 30 calendar day limit, under an interim approach in Home Office statutory guidance.
Key facts
- Who: Competent Authorities in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), and people seeking reconsideration of a negative Reasonable Grounds or Conclusive Grounds decision
- From: The source gives no in-force date. The guidance page shows "Updated 15 October 2026" and says the interim approach "applies".
- Source: Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims
The Home Office has updated its statutory guidance "Reconsideration of negative Reasonable Grounds or Conclusive Grounds decision". The page shows an update date of 15 October 2026. It says the Home Office is reviewing the reconsideration policy, including guidance to Competent Authorities on exercising discretion when requests are submitted outside the 30 calendar day time limit.
While the review and any resulting updates to the "Modern Slavery: statutory guidance for England and Wales (under s49 of the Modern Slavery Act) and non‑statutory guidance for Scotland and Northern Ireland" are being finalised, an interim approach applies. The updates are subject to Ministerial agreement.
Under the interim approach, Competent Authorities may consider a request made outside the 30 day limit where:
1. There is a clear and obvious error. The negative decision was clearly not made in line with existing guidance, or was made on the basis of a mistaken understanding of the material facts. The guidance says this refers to a clear and obvious failure to apply decision making policy in line with guidance correctly, rather than differences in interpretation or subjective judgement. 2. New or additional evidence is provided. The evidence is provided together with an explanation of the exceptional circumstances that prevented it being submitted within the 30 day limit. The explanation is considered alongside the new evidence. The evidence must provide cogent information not previously assessed and which, viewed with the existing evidence, could indicate that the individual is a victim of modern slavery.
During this interim period, Competent Authorities should acknowledge reconsideration requests received outside the 30-day limit and explain that they will be considered in line with these two situations.
The main guidance page carries two further notices. Public order disqualification (POD) decisions have been paused from Tuesday 23 December 2025. Individuals with a POD decision made before that date who need Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) support can email the Single Competent Authority at nrm@modernslavery.gov.uk with "Public Order Disqualification Support Request" in the subject line. Support is subject to confirmation of NRM status. Where eligible, financial support is backdated applying Annex F.
What this means for applicants
A reconsideration request sent after the 30 calendar day limit may be considered by a Competent Authority where it shows a clear and obvious error, or where it is provided with new or additional evidence and an explanation of the exceptional circumstances that prevented earlier submission. Competent Authorities should acknowledge the late request and explain that it will be considered on that basis. The guidance describes the approach as interim, pending the Home Office review.