Horley - Detention Engagement Officers
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Immigration Enforcement (IE) is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. It also aims to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain.Learn more on our careers pages.
Are you ready to work as part of a team and make a real difference in a dynamic and testing environment? We are seeking a dedicated Detention Engagement Team (DET) Member to join our team. DET is at the heart of IE's wider operational activity to return Foreign National Offenders and those with no leave to be in the United Kingdom.
You will play a crucial role in engaging with detained individuals in our secured Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs), ensuring their understanding of their cases, and facilitating effective communication between them and caseworkers.
These posts sit within the Detention Engagement Team (DET), which is a dynamic and responsive team working as part of Detention, Progression and Returns to ensure effective communication and engagement with residents.
IRCs are secure buildings that hold detained residents prior to their removal from the United Kingdom or for nationality and identification purposes. Please note the locations are as follows: Gatwick locations are Tinsley House and Brook House, Heathrow locations are Colnbrook and Harmondsworth, Newcastle location is Derwentside, Glasgow (Strathaven) location is Dungavel, and Bedford location is Yarlswood.
The role our Detention Engagement Officers perform is multifaceted, and the environment can be extremely challenging, particularly as the removal centres are locked down. It is a physically demanding role as you will spend much of your day on the go.
You can expect to join a team where together we make a real difference. Our work is fast paced and varied, so it is important that you are resilient and able to deal with emotionally heightened situations with care and compassion. Much of the work you will do will be people facing, which at times can be challenging, however you will always have your team to lean on for support.The part you play will be fundamental in how we ensure the safety of the UK.
You will be accountable for a variety of tasks to ensure effective communication and engagement with residents. Alongside this, there will also be opportunities for professional development and training.
As a member of the DET you will be expected to demonstrate professional behaviours and personal integrity, as well as an unbiased and methodical approach to information gathering.
Key Responsibilities
You will also be accountable for a variety of tasks to ensure effective communication and engagement with residents, as below:
- Conducting face-to-face engagements, including inductions and assessments
- Discussing options and the consequences of non-compliance with residents
- Identifying and managing vulnerability indicators, ensuring that they are recorded and managed in-line with policy
- Engaging regularly with IRC suppliers and stakeholders
- Giving case updates and managing a portfolio of residents
- Recording interactions accurately on IT systems in a timely manner and provide feedback to caseworkers
- Contributing to management reports and undertaking office administration duties such as inbox management and taking phone calls
- Flagging issues appropriately and in a timely manner to management or other appropriate departments
Working Pattern
This role is suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 3 full shifts (22.2 hours) per week in a full range of shifts.
Please note that full shifts, of up to 12 hours, will be required even if a part time contract is sought.
Training
You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place on the job with a mentor who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone; you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.
Meet the team
If you want to learn more about these roles you can join one of our free online live events, during which you will hear from current Immigration Enforcement staff about what the job is like, what opportunities and career prospects you will have and why the job matters.We will also talk about the recruitment and security vetting processes, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions from our friendly and experienced team members.
Register by clicking on the date and time you want to attend. There’s no requirement to attend in order to apply.
18th February 2025 at 18:00 – IE Detention Engagement Officer roles
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25th February 2025 at 12:15 – IE Detention Engagement Officer roles
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