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 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.
This is a very exciting opportunity to work in a fast paced and varied role within Detention Services. The role of the Family Liaison & Implementation Co-ordinator sits within the Incident and Counter Corruption Hub. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overhaul of existing processes relating to current Family Liaison Network.
This network is made up of voluntary Family Liaison Officers (FLO) whose role it is to be the named point of contact for the family or next of kin of individuals who have died whilst held in immigration detention.
There are a number of competing pressures on the immigration detention estate which makes this role even more challenging and high-profile at this time. This includes our role in the Department’s response to a significant number of migrants crossing the Channel illegally, alongside our strategic priority to increase the number of people removed from the UK when they have no right to be here. DS is currently looking to complete a series of projects to maintain sufficient capacity and ensure effective national coverage of the detention estate.
The role of Family Liaison & Implementation (FLIC) will be to oversee a small team of volunteers. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to provide leadership and steer in a very dynamic environment. You will be involved in the deployment of the Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) when necessary, offering support and guidance when required, however you will not personally take on the role of an FLO. You will be responsible for promoting the FLO network to both internal and external stakeholders providing insight to the invaluable work undertaken.
As an FLIC you will oversee and implement training opportunities for the FLOs whist completing administrative duties and Annualised Hours Working reviews for those undertaking the role of an FLO. You will also be required to both arrange and chair meetings for the FLO network ensuring training needs are met and continuously explored.
Engagement will be required at all levels, as you work collaboratively with all stakeholders to bring a robust and resilient approach to the response following the deployment of an FLO, in addition to the implementation of recommendations following reflective learning.
Key responsibilities (list is not exhaustive)
* Establish single points of contact with emergency services, hospitals, coroners and funeral directors within close proximity to the Immigration Removal Centres and Residential Short Term Holding Facilities nationally, developing and maintain these newly established relationships.
* You will be required to write a wide range of guidance documents, strategies and instructions whilst completing thorough reviews of Detention Services Orders and contingency planning arrangements when required.
* Attending lessons learned and reflective learning sessions, progressing, tracking, and implementing any 3rd party recommendation through to completion in accordance with Detention Centre Rules, Detention Services Orders and Operating Standards.
* Work with our local compliance teams to fulfil our obligations to deliver Home Office objectives while also ensuring that those detained are held in a safe and secure environment.
* You will have a small team of voluntary FLOs from across the Home Office to manage without holding direct line management responsibility, yet you will have an opportunity to provide leadership and steer in a very dynamic environment. You will be required to both arrange and chair meetings for the FLO network ensuring training needs are met and continuously explored.
* Considering the high profile nature of this department, you may be required to manage requests for information (FOI, litigation, Public Inquiry) which will require consideration to be given to information disclosure guidelines.
* Self motivation and the ability to forward think will be key for this standalone role.
* You will be involved in the deployment of the FLOs when necessary, offering support and guidance when required however you will not personally take on the role of an FLO. You will be responsible for promoting the FLO network to both internal and external stakeholders providing insight to the invaluable work undertaken. You will hold oversight and implement training opportunities for the FLOs whist completing administrative duties and Annualised Hours Working reviews for those undertaking the role of an FLO.
Training
You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues 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.
Working pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours are available.