Cedars pre-departure accommodation information (archived version)
Published 28 February 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-cedars-pre-departure-accommodation/cedars-pre-departure-accommodation-information
This document was withdrawn on 9 May 2017. It is no longer in use.
This page provides information about Cedars, Immigration Enforcement’s pre-departure accommodation near Gatwick Airport for families.
Contact information:
Cedars
Brighton Road
Pease Pottage
Crawley
RH11 9AD
Phone: 01293 844900
Fax: 01293 844945
What is pre-departure accommodation?
If families fail to co-operate with other options to leave the UK, such as the offer of assisted voluntary return, they could be required to stay in ‘pre-departure’ accommodation as a last resort. This has been designed as a secure facility which respects the privacy and independence of children and their families.
About Cedars
Cedars – the name chosen for Immigration Enforcement’s pre-departure accommodation, was opened in August 2011. Located near Gatwick Airport in West Sussex, it can accommodate up to 9 families at a time in self-contained apartments, with a range of activities provided by Barnardo’s.
Families will only be referred to Cedars on the advice of the Family Returns Panel, an independent body of child welfare experts, and will stay for no more than 72 hours before their departure from the UK. In exceptional circumstances, with ministerial authority, this may be extended to 1 week.
The name Cedars stands for the principles staff will work to - compassion, empathy, dignity, approachability, respect and support. There is also a red cedar tree in the grounds, which is believed to be 200 years old.
Contractor information
Cedars is run by several agencies. Immigration Enforcement’s has overall responsibility, with G4S providing security services and facilities management, and Barnardo’s providing welfare and social care services to the families.
Managers
- Immigration Enforcement’s managers: Vikki Lewis and Sarah Lawrence
- G4S manager: Sarah Newland
- Barnardo’s children’s services manager: Jennifer Carnegie
Facilities
Cedars has 9 individual apartments, including 1 with full access for disabled people. The accommodation has been designed to create a family-friendly environment. Each apartment has a kitchen and lounge area, family bathroom and between 1 and 3 bedrooms to accommodate up to 6 people.
Facilities and services include:
- lounges
- play areas for small children
- gym
- library with a range of books in different languages and suitable for different age groups
- access to IT and the internet
- multi-sensory room
- café and dining area, where families can eat with other residents 3 times a day or take food away to cook in their apartments
- access to landscaped gardens with a variety of age-appropriate play areas and a pets corner for children
- basketball court with outside equipment for residents to play football and other games
- multi-faith prayer room and mosque
- childcare staff, including qualified social workers
- welfare and counselling support to enable families, in particular children, to prepare for their return and receive assistance to manage emotional distress
- 24-hour healthcare, including daily access to a GP.
Visits
Visit times for friends and relatives known to residents are between 9am and 9pm and must be booked. In exceptional circumstances, visits can be arranged outside of these hours.
All visitors must bring 1 of the following:
- passport (including foreign passports and travel documents recognised by HM Government and the European Union)
- biometric residence permit
- identity card
- photographic driving licence (photocard and paper counterpart).
Or 2 of the following:
- birth or marriage certificate
- rail or bus pass with photograph
- employer’s identity card
- student card
- young person’s proof of age card
- trade union membership card
- senior citizen travel pass issued by a local authority
- benefits book.
Refreshments are available to buy.
Legal representatives should book appointments by fax on 01293 844945 and must also provide proof of identity as described above.
Directions
By road
Leave the M23 at Junction 11, signposted Pease Pottage/Horsham/A264. At the roundabout take the first exit on to Brighton Road, towards Pease Pottage services. After the services, continue straight over the roundabout. Cedars is a short distance away on your left.
By rail
Crawley station is approximately 6 miles (10 minutes’ drive) from Cedars. Taxis are available at the front of the station.