Derwentside

Response
Derwentside is considered a suitable location for an immigration removal centre (IRC). The immigration removal estate is kept under ongoing review to ensure sufficient resilience and capacity for the men and women it is necessary to detain for the purposes of removal. Derwentside IRC continues to provide safe and secure facilities for the women detained there.

Response
There are currently no plans to introduce a time limit for immigration detention. A time limit on immigration detention would significantly impair our ability to remove those who have breached our immigration laws and refused to leave the UK voluntarily. It is likely to encourage and reward abuse, allowing those who wish to guarantee their release to frustrate the removal process until the time limit is reached. It would encourage late and opportunistic claims to be made simply to push a person over the time limit, regardless of the circumstances of their case. This would undermine our ability to maintain effective immigration control and potentially place the public at higher risk, in particular through the release of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) into the community. The Home Office will seek to minimise detention times to ensure the timely return of those who have failed their claims or for FNOs who are set to be deported. The law does not permit individuals to be detained indefinitely. Our policies make clear that for detention to be lawful, that detention should be reasonable and for a specific statutory purpose, such as for examination or removal.

Response
The role of the Detention Gatekeeper (DGK) is to consistently apply the Detention: General Instructions, and Adults at Risk in immigration detention policy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adults-at-risk-in-immigration-detention) so that detention only takes place where there is a realistic prospect of return within a reasonable timescale. Where vulnerabilities are identified, the presumption of liberty is strengthened for that individual, and the appropriateness of detention is balanced against any immigration control and public-protection considerations on a case-by-case basis. The Adults at Risk policy does not exempt vulnerable people from the possibility of detention, however vulnerable individuals will only be detained under immigration powers where those immigration control considerations or public-protection factors outweigh any risk factors in their case. In addition, mental vulnerability and immigration detention non-clinical guidance was published in July 2020 (reissued July 2023). This guidance looks to ensure that appropriate support is offered to: those who lack decision making capacity, those with disability arising from mental impairment and those who have a mental health condition; and that, for those with a disability, adjustments are made to support the individual whilst in immigration detention. All individuals have ready access to healthcare throughout their detention period and can make an appointment with the healthcare team at any point - ensuring access to medical professionals and levels of primary care in line with that available in the community. There are also established procedures in place in every IRC to manage vulnerable individuals including those with mental health concerns, with formal risk assessments undertaken on initial detention and additional systems for raising concerns at any subsequent point.

Response
Where individuals are identified as vulnerable, the impact of any identified vulnerabilities on the release process are fully considered before release is authorised and actions are taken in line with contingency plans created to meet the needs of individual residents. Actions may include, but are not limited to, multi-disciplinary meetings and requesting Local Authority needs assessments. Pathways are therefore established and strengthened on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the needs of individual residents. Releases relating to vulnerable individuals across the detention estate should be handled in accordance with the Vulnerable Adult Releases Operating Procedure. This outlines actions to be taken by all teams, including casework, and provides information on the local authority needs assessment process. This document was updated in June 22025. The Detention Oversight Team within the FNO Removals Command (FNORC) are currently running an Accommodation pilot in order to make the flow of information sharing between the Home Office and MoJ more effective and efficient. Within this we are ensuring cases who do not meet the threshold for detention following their Custodial Sentence do not flow into the detention estate. Captured within this are assessments around vulnerabilities and ensuring those who are non-removable are released into the community with a proper safeguarded plan of release. In cases where the detained individual requires support and/or accommodation from the Local Authority, it is the responsibility of the case owner and, where allocated, the non-detained casework team, to arrange a Local Authority needs assessment prior to release. The local Detention Engagement Teams (DET) will assist the caseworker with signposting for local services wherever possible DSO 01/2022 - Assessment care in detention and teamwork DSO refers. The Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention DSO - DSO - 08-2016 Management of adults at risk in immigration detention covers the release of vulnerable people at paragraphs 64 to 70 refer, and where there are concerns over the mental health of a person being released on bail from an IRC then DETs must be informed. There are then steps that DETs must then take to safeguard that person’s release from detention (which should not themselves unduly delay release or prolong detention). Such steps may involve the arranging of a muti-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting or teleconference to agree a plan for safe release and the IRC healthcare provider should inform the relevant healthcare team in the community where such action is required.

Response
A Wi-Fi calling pilot with a small cohort of residents has been successful at Gatwick IRCs. This is now being rolled out to all residents at Gatwick IRCs to further test capability and resilience. Once robust testing has concluded Wi-Fi calling will be considered for wider roll-out across the detention estate, including to Derwentside IRC.

Response
Paid activity opportunities may be provided under Rule 17 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001. Detention Services Order 1/2013 sets out the process and states that the provision of opportunities should be directly linked to a level of compliance with the service provider and Home Office.

Response
The Home Office and escorting services provider seek to avoid routine night-time transfers where possible. The escorting service operates 24/7 and covers a wide range of activity, including moves between centres (RSTHFs/IRCs). All proposed moves consider the impact on the care and welfare of the detained individual, which includes the time and length of the journey. Although night moves are to be avoided where possible, moves between centres sometimes must be conducted during the night, depending on other priorities or if they are time-specific priority moves e.g. transferring detained individuals to flight. The location of Derwentside IRC and its proximity to other centres / vehicle bases and core in-country escorting activity does present some logistical challenges when it comes to servicing the centre. These will be alleviated once the planned vehicle base becomes operational. Work on this is due to commence in 2026 and go live the following year.

Response
All proposed transfers consider the impact on the care and welfare of detained individuals, including the timing and length of the move and moves are kept to a minimum where possible. Detained estate movements however are required to support transfers from R/STHFs to IRCs, to manage risks or special needs (or a request from a detained individual), to support population management co-ordination or to facilitate a detained individual’s case progression. At Derwentside Serco inform residents of their destination as part of the discharge process. Escorting staff will also explain the destination and the expected journey time.

Response
The local Home Office Compliance team reviews regime provision regularly in line with contractual requirements. Residents currently have access to full regime within the centre with including the Cultural Kitchen. Education activities including a catalogue of online courses, maths and English courses are displayed in the regime’s corridor. Timetable of activities and opening times are displayed in each corresponding regime space. Residents currently have access to library, IT suite, education courses, salon/nail bar, shop, gym, multi faith space, Skype rooms plus a range of ad-hoc seasonal activities that Serco provide (currently outdoor summer games).

Response
Detention Services Order 02/2022: interpretation services and use of translation devices Serco continue to provide translation services via handheld tablets and telephone interpretation services. In addition to existing translation processes, Serco have installed several multi-lingual information kiosks covering 21 different languages. The kiosks can be used by residents to order meals, book social visits, order shop items and view information such as account balances and FAQs. Serco is currently looking to pilot a more technologically advanced translation tablet and introduce a multi-lingual induction DVD for residents. An additional 4 translation tablets are now operational, bringing the total in use to 15.

Response
Serco continue to follow industry best practice and local established processes, with Healthcare, for identifying and catering for those with food allergies. Once healthcare has learnt of any allergens a resident has as part of their induction, the data gets sent to the kitchen which is recorded on their allergen board. The Catering Manager meets with any resident with declared food allergies to ensure menu is understood and appropriate. For those with severe allergies the resident will be provided with a separate menu.

Response
All R35 assessment appointment waiting times are fluid and can change on a daily basis. Both the Healthcare Provider and the Home Office constantly monitor all clinic wait times and strive to keep these at a minimum. Changes to the AAR policy and Rule 35 process are underway and proposed for later this year. The Home Office sought external comment on changes which included consultation with the IMB via the IMB Secretariat.