Detention Gatekeeper

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 344065**Salary**:

- £32,000 - £33,600- Additional allowances of up to 23.03% is applicable on this role (see Further Information for more details).**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- HO - Immigration Enforcement - Returns Logistics**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery**Working pattern**:

- Full-time, Part-time, Shift working**Number of jobs available**:

- 3Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Lunar House - CroydonAbout the job

**Job summary**:

- Immigration Enforcement 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 the Immigration Enforcement careers page.**Job description**:
**Do you meet the key eligibility criteria?**

In order to be eligible, you **MUST** meet ALL the following criteria.
- I can undertake shift work.
- I will be able to provide all the ID documents required to complete my pre-employment screening and security clearance.

The Detention Gatekeeper (DGK) was introduced in June 2016 following Stephen Shaw’s Review into the Welfare in Detention of Vulnerable Persons. It is a cross-departmental and independent function ensuring only suitable individuals enter the detention estate and is part of the Detention, Progression and Returns Command (DPRC).

The DGK acts as a primary safeguard to identify and protect those who fall within the parameters of the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention Policy, promoting alternative removal routes, ensuring detention is the last resort (particularly for those considered vulnerable) and will make efforts to ensure any time period in detention is kept to an absolute minimum.

The DGK considers referrals for detention from all parts of the Home Office and is responsible for the admission into immigration detention for cases managed by the National Returns Command (NRC), Foreign National Offender Returns Command (FNO RC), Detained Asylum Casework (DAC), UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), Border Force and Special Cases Directorate (SCD).

**Person specification**:
The successful post holder consider referrals for detention from Immigration Compliance Enforcement (ICE) teams, Reporting Offender Management (ROM) teams and UKVI units to ensure the right cases enter immigration detention.

You will stay up to date with immigration detention guidance and policy, as well as other stakeholders published guidance to ensure justified detention decisions are made.

You will have strong communication skills and be confident in liaising with colleagues and stakeholders, including senior managers
The post is open on level transfer and promotion.

**You will be responsible for**:

- Considering referrals from all sources where immigration detention has been authorised by a CIO or above, and a space in the detention estate is sought.
- Making quality, fair and immediate decisions about whether cases should enter the detention estate, relaying those decisions to referring officers effectively and calmly.
- Identifying and raising barriers to removal that exist for cases being referred for detention. Escalating cases where there are complex issues.
- Identifying individuals who are potentially vulnerable and taking necessary steps to make decisions on the circumstances in which detention may or may not be appropriate.
- Completing the initial detention review and generating associated paperwork for those individuals accepted for detention.
- Contributing to and support 2-3 internal thematic areas aside of operational duties, such as performance management, Wellbeing and stakeholder engagement.
- Liaising with the Detainee Escorting and Population Management Unit (DEPMU) on a daily basis with regard to available detention space and capacities.
- Communicating effectively with internal stakeholders, ensuring that problems and complaints are resolved in a timely fashion.
- Using IT tools available as part of the referral and workflow process.
- Starting an initial removal plan prior to allocation for the caseworker concerned, taking into consideration travel documentation and any outstanding barriers.
- Allocating cases that have been accepted to the appropriate detention managing team (HUB).
- Overseeing the release of individuals where authorised by senior colleagues.
- Assisting with data gathering and analysis where required to support strategic projects being completed within the team.

**Essential Criteria**
- The ability to work at pace and under pressure, be proactive and prioritise key activities.
- Strong communication skills - oral, written and IT based and confident when liaising with colleagues and stakeholders, including senior managers.
- Experience of using evidence and knowledge