This position is no longer open for applications

Detention Engagement Teams (DETs) are a dynamic and responsive team, working as part of Detention, Progression and Returns Command (DPRC) to enhance the quality and frequency of engagements between Home Office and the people entering Immigration Removal Centres (IRC).

The DET team operate within Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs), using face-to-face interaction to build relationships with those in detention and provide an important on-site link between people in detention and their case working teams; enhancing the quality and frequency of engagements between the Home Office and the people entering IRCs. Based within the centres, engaging with those in detention and on-site healthcare providers and suppliers, DETs are better placed to ensure that vulnerability issues are identified and managed at the earliest opportunity.

Person Specification
The role of the Engagement Officer is an Operational role that is interesting and challenging, demanding high levels of co-operation from those in detention, stakeholders, and suppliers.

Engagement officers are expected to:
o Conduct face-to-face engagements with those in detention as required by caseworkers and management, this includes an initial induction engagement, service of paperwork, follow up engagements, Modern Slavery and associated assessments and Asylum Screening interviews. Officers will also discuss the options that residents have, including initiating referrals to returns schemes and building return plans, as well as outlining the consequences of non-compliance. Feeding back to caseworkers providing details and insight into resident mindset and behaviour. Recording all interactions on HO IT systems in an accurate and timely manner.
o Identify indicators of vulnerability, ensuring that they are recorded and managed in-line with existing policy and instructions, attending case conference meetings (multi-disciplinary telecom and local strategy meetings), ACDT reviews, immigration surgeries and resident consultative committee meetings as required.
o Providing case updates to residents at their request and managing your own portfolio of residents and associated workflow.
o Flagging contract issues appropriately and in a timely manner to line manager or Compliance team.
o Actively contribute towards the compiling of management reports.
o Undertake general office administration duties as part of your role and to assist in the successful running of the Detention Engagement Team within the Centre. This includes managing resident arrival and departure lists, allocating all new arrivals to Engagement Officers, monitoring the inbox and e-faxes and dealing with telephone, personal and email queries, escalating as appropriate.
o Line management of AO Support Officers as required.
o Other ad hoc administrative duties as required.
o Work closely with the Welfare Office within the immigration removal centre, dealing appropriately with any issues that arise. The Welfare Office is run by the service provider and is a key touch-point for people to raise any concerns they may have.
o Complete asylum screening interviews remotely, when required.
You will require excellent interpersonal skills to deal with different, and sometimes difficult situations. Self-confidence, resilience, organisation skills and personal integrity are also required within this challenging environment of a busy desk with at times, a high volume of work.

Shifts will be on a roster- basis, generally between 7.30am and 7:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. There will be occasional requirement to work until 21:30.

Successful candidates will be expected to be vetted to SC level, complete enhanced DBS checks, and undertake Personal Safety Training (PST) to Level 2.