Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre

Rec R1 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should monitor the numbers of time-served foreign national offenders detained at Yarl’s Wood, and the impact their presence has on the good order of the centre and the safety and security of others. Serco should consult regularly with the … Read more Serco should monitor the numbers of time-served foreign national offenders detained at Yarl’s Wood, and the impact their presence has on the good order of the centre and the safety and security of others. Serco should consult regularly with the Home Office to ensure that only those who do not threaten good order, safety and security are detained at Yarl’s Wood. Show less

Rec R10 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers undertaking the current review of staffing should rectify the problems with management capacity.

Rec R11 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should undertake an audit and assessment of the roles that only female staff should undertake and how many female staff are required at Yarl’s Wood to answer the needs of residents. Managers should develop a staffing plan, based on … Read more Managers should undertake an audit and assessment of the roles that only female staff should undertake and how many female staff are required at Yarl’s Wood to answer the needs of residents. Managers should develop a staffing plan, based on that audit and assessment. Show less

Rec R12 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers undertaking the current staffing review should in particular consider and address weaknesses in the night staffing arrangements.

Rec R13 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should review policy and procedure in relation to entering residents’ rooms and interviews with and checks on residents, particularly at night, to ensure that interviews and checks are as thorough as necessary and carried out in a consistently by … Read more Managers should review policy and procedure in relation to entering residents’ rooms and interviews with and checks on residents, particularly at night, to ensure that interviews and checks are as thorough as necessary and carried out in a consistently by all staff. Show less

Rec R14 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should review staff handover arrangements as a matter of urgency.

Rec R15 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should closely monitor standards of cleaning throughout the centre.

Rec R16 Managers, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should continue to look for opportunities to improve the physical environment at Yarl’s Wood and make it less prison-like. In particular they should discuss with the Home office whether they can give residents access to more open space and … Read more Managers should continue to look for opportunities to improve the physical environment at Yarl’s Wood and make it less prison-like. In particular they should discuss with the Home office whether they can give residents access to more open space and whether they can increase natural light in the corridors and common parts of the centre. Show less

Rec R17 Serco No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should routinely redecorate parts of the centre showing wear and tear.

Rec R18 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should ensure that menus:  offer adequate appetising fresh fruit and vegetables and encourage the consumption of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day; and  offer a better-balanced choice of foods at lunchtimes.

Rec R19 Serco No Response Published

Recommendation

Leftovers that would otherwise go to waste should be offered to residents.

Rec R2 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should continue to press the Home Office to improve the quality and timeliness of information-sharing about time-served foreign national offenders transferred to Yarl’s Wood.

Rec R20 Serco No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should consider how residents might be given greater opportunities to cater for themselves, including by expanding the cultural kitchen facilities, the choice of foods in the shop and providing facilities for residents to store and cook food and make … Read more Serco should consider how residents might be given greater opportunities to cater for themselves, including by expanding the cultural kitchen facilities, the choice of foods in the shop and providing facilities for residents to store and cook food and make snacks for themselves. Show less

Rec R21 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should work with the Home Office to ensure that the current DSO on food and fluid refusal is appropriately amended to make it explicit that residents who prefer to cater for themselves can do so without automatically being subject to ACDT.

Rec R22 Serco No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should review the activities, education and training programmes available to residents to ensure they allow them adequately to occupy their time and provide meaningful activity, education and training, even for the most able residents.

Rec R23 Managers at Yarl’s Wood, local safeguarding adults board No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers at Yarl’s Wood, in consultation with the local safeguarding adults board, should devise appropriate adult safeguarding policy and practice, including staff training.

Rec R24 Managers at Yarl’s Wood, local authority safeguarding team, safeguarding adults board No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers at Yarl’s Wood should actively engage with the local authority safeguarding team and the safeguarding adults board and ensure establish appropriate and ongoing information sharing to secure the safeguarding of residents.

Rec R25 Managers, LSCB No Response Published

Recommendation

In consultation with the LSCB, managers should review and redraft Yarl’s Wood’s child protection and safeguarding policies to ensure that they clearly and consistently identify the extent of staff responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children, including children … Read more In consultation with the LSCB, managers should review and redraft Yarl’s Wood’s child protection and safeguarding policies to ensure that they clearly and consistently identify the extent of staff responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children, including children in the community, and conform to the requirements of the LSCB. Show less

Rec R26 Managers, LSCB No Response Published

Recommendation

In consultation with the LSCB, managers should review the training of staff in relation to safeguarding and child protection to ensure that they are given regular training to help them understand and meet their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the … Read more In consultation with the LSCB, managers should review the training of staff in relation to safeguarding and child protection to ensure that they are given regular training to help them understand and meet their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children. Show less

Rec R27 Managers, LSCB No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should agree with the LSCB on arrangements for reporting concerns and on the pattern and frequency of future contact between the LSCB and Yarl’s Wood.

Rec R28 The centre manager, senior Serco managers, NHS commissioners, G4S No Response Published

Recommendation

The centre manager and senior Serco managers should continue to engage at all levels with NHS commissioners and G4S to ensure that concerns about the healthcare provision at Yarl’s Wood are addressed.

Rec R29 Serco, G4S, NHS England, local mental health care providers No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should open discussions with G4S, NHS England and local mental health care providers to consider how best to meet the needs of detainees with severe mental health issues, and ensure that they are assessed and receive care and treatment … Read more Serco should open discussions with G4S, NHS England and local mental health care providers to consider how best to meet the needs of detainees with severe mental health issues, and ensure that they are assessed and receive care and treatment in a timely and appropriate fashion. Show less

Rec R3 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should consider with the Home Office the development of suitability criteria for the detention of time-served foreign national offenders at Yarl’s Wood.

Rec R30 Serco No Response Published

Recommendation

Pregnant residents should be allowed to eat their meals away from the main dining rooms without having to obtain permission from healthcare staff.

Rec R31 Serco managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco managers should undertake a thorough review of the initial training course and the refresher training programme to ensure that they enable staff to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. The review and any consequent redesign of staff training should ensure … Read more Serco managers should undertake a thorough review of the initial training course and the refresher training programme to ensure that they enable staff to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. The review and any consequent redesign of staff training should ensure that staff are adequately trained in mental health matters affecting residents at Yarl’s Wood; the backgrounds and vulnerabilities of residents; interpersonal skills including de-escalation techniques; and adult and child safeguarding. Show less

Rec R32 Serco managers, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco managers should consider with the Home Office the possibility of providing training to give DCOs a better understanding of the rudiments of immigration processes.

Rec R33 The Serco director of media relations No Response Published

Recommendation

The Serco director of media relations should form and maintain a regular stakeholder group.

Rec R34 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should seek to agree with the Home Office a new strategic communications plan for Yarl’s Wood based on the principles of transparency and openness.

Rec R35 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should seek Home Office approval for a programme of visits to the centre. Visitors could include officers and politicians from the local council, interested MPs and groups providing services. The purpose of the programme would be to show them … Read more Serco should seek Home Office approval for a programme of visits to the centre. Visitors could include officers and politicians from the local council, interested MPs and groups providing services. The purpose of the programme would be to show them the work and facilities and brief them. Show less

Rec R4 Serco, Home Office No Response Published

Recommendation

Serco should consider with the Home Office whether the escort service can take responsibility for ensuring that residents are presented to HOIE for removal. This would include escorting residents from their room in Yarl’s Wood.

Rec R5 Managers at Yarl’s Wood No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers at Yarl’s Wood should put in place a programme of organisational development work involving all staff, to develop a clearer and better shared understanding of the centre’s mission, role and purpose, and the cultures and arrangements, including staffing arrangements, … Read more Managers at Yarl’s Wood should put in place a programme of organisational development work involving all staff, to develop a clearer and better shared understanding of the centre’s mission, role and purpose, and the cultures and arrangements, including staffing arrangements, that will ensure the appropriate care of Yarl’s Wood’s residents. Such a programme should allow staff to share their insights and engage them in devising plans for how the centre will be managed in the best interests of residents and staff. Show less

Rec R6 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should review the centre’s policies, its recruitment, training and appraisal arrangements and the regime at the centre to ensure they are consistent with its mission, role and purpose.

Rec R7 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should review the appraisal process and ensure that those who undertake appraisals have the time, training and support they need to appraise staff in a robust and meaningful way.

Rec R8 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers should undertake a review of present local policies and arrangements for whistleblowing and reporting matters of concern. They should devise policies and arrangements that are easily understood by staff, command the confidence of staff and encourage and support them … Read more Managers should undertake a review of present local policies and arrangements for whistleblowing and reporting matters of concern. They should devise policies and arrangements that are easily understood by staff, command the confidence of staff and encourage and support them to report colleagues whose behaviours are inappropriate or below standard. Show less

Rec R9 Managers No Response Published

Recommendation

Managers undertaking the current staffing review should address the question of how staff can best be given time to engage with residents and meet their emotional as well as practical needs.