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New family returns accommodation opened today
The final stage in the government's pledge to end the detention of children for immigration purposes was completed today, with the opening of new pre departure accommodation for families required to leave the UK.
The new accommodation "Cedars" in Pease
Pottage, Sussex, has been designed in partnership with
Barnardo's. Families will stay in a self-contained
apartment for a short period immediately before their departure
from the UK. They will also have open access to a library, family
and youth lounge, and play areas for children.
The opening completes the implementation of the
government's new family returns process for those found
to have no right to be in the UK. This process emphasises close
engagement with families, providing a range of opportunities for
them to take up assisted returns or leave the country voluntarily.
The accommodation will only be used as a last resort after advice
has been sought from the Independent Family Returns Panel made up
of child welfare experts.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said:
"The opening of the new pre-departure accommodation
represents the final stage in the government's new
approach to returning families found to have no right to be in the UK.
"It will be used as a last resort on the
recommendation of the Independent Family Returns Panel of child
welfare experts, and only after all voluntary return options have failed.
"We will continue to remove people with no right to
be in the UK, if they do not take the opportunity to return
voluntarily. This facility will allow us to do so in a way that
provides more support to children and their families."
The accommodation and facilities have been developed by the
UK Border Agency with advice from Barnardo's, to ensure
the facility is designed with the needs of families in mind. New
staff from G4S will help to operate the facility and the teams
have undergone specialist training in working with families. No
one will be placed there who is assessed to be a risk to the
public and the surrounding community.
Barnardo's South East Regional Director, Michelle
Lee-Izu, said:
"Barnardo's involvement at Cedars goes back
to our core purpose - to help the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged children in the UK. We are drawing on all of our
expertise and experience in order to ensure the provision of
high-quality welfare and social care services at the
accommodation. We will seek to ensure that families are treated
with dignity and respect at all times."
G4S Operations Director Barry Greenberry said:
"G4S is proud to be involved with Cedars. The health
and safety of those people in our care is our top priority. We
have unrivalled experience of caring for the some of the most
challenging and vulnerable people in society, including children
and families. We are confident that our expertise, combined with
that of Barnardo's will ensure the best possible outcomes
for residents at Cedars and that they are treated with sensitivity
at a traumatic and difficult time in their lives."
086/2011
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Barnardo's will provide support, high quality
welfare and social care services to families as they prepare to
return home. G4S will oversee the day to day running of the accommodation.
2. Up to nine families will be at the facility for the
shortest time possible before their return flight. The majority of
stays will be limited to 72 hours and any extension, up to a
maximum of one week, will need to be approved by the Immigration
Minister.
3. The Independent Family Returns Panel is made up of experts
in children's welfare. The panel will consider cases
where voluntary options to leave the country have not been
effective. The panel will put children's welfare at the
heart of the process.
4. The Panel's Chair is Chris Spencer, former
Director of Children's Services in Hillingdon. Other
members include: Pauline Newman, formerly a Director of
Children's Services in Manchester. Philip Ishola and John
Donaldson who both have a strong background in children's
services. A GP - Dr John Keen - also sits on the Panel to provide
medical advice.
5. The new Family Returns Process is practical and fair.
Families will be offered assistance packages and can participate
in family conferences to ensure they understand their options. The
process aims to ensure that families can remain in the community
prior to their departure home.
6. The new four-stage removal process, which began on 1 March
2011, is:
· decision-making, which has been strengthened through the
creation of specialist family case owners within the UK Border
Agency, the development of pilots to test new ways of working with
families and our continuing work with the UNHCR to test and
improve the quality of our decision making;
· assisted return, including family conferences to discuss
the family's return home, welfare and medical concerns
and the availability of tailored assisted voluntary return
packages to help families resettle upon their return;
· required returns, for families who fail to take up
assistance packages, allowing them to remain in the community, but
giving two weeks notice to board their flight home and allowing
self check-in without the need for enforcement action; and
· an ensured return, as a last resort for families who refuse
to depart the UK. The new Family Returns Panel will advise the UK
Border Agency on return plans to ensure the welfare of the child
is taken properly into account. Options will include a form of
limited notice removal, the use of open accommodation, and - as a
last resort where families resolutely fail to comply- family
friendly, pre-departure accommodation and Cedars.
7. Photos of the pre-departure accommodation can be found
here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49956354@N04/
8. For further information, please contact the press office
newsdesk on 0207 035 3535.
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk