Home Office response: report on the family returns process by the Independent Family Returns Panel for 2018 to 2019
Published 1 September 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-independent-family-returns-panel-report-2018-to-2019/home-office-response-report-on-the-family-returns-process-by-the-independent-family-returns-panel-for-2018-to-2019
In its 2018-19 report, the Independent Family Returns Panel (IFRP) made 7 recommendations to the Home Office in relation to managing family returns. These recommendations, along with the Home Office response, are set out below.
1. Late claims: The IFRP recommends that, in order to reduce uncertainty and the experience of multiple arrests, the Home Office takes further action to reduce the incidence of removals being cancelled due to very late claims.
1.1 Home Office response: Accepted in principle.
1.2 The Home Office is committed to reducing the incidence of returns being cancelled at a late stage, particularly recognising the negative impact this has on the wellbeing of children. Although we acknowledge that families have the legal right to make applications at any stage, we will continue to utilise the expedited Judicial Review process, working to ensure that late claims are dealt with as quickly as possible while fully considering the individual circumstances of each family.
2. Trafficking: The IFRP recommends that, in order for the panel to be able to properly fulfil its role, in cases which have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the full NRM record (NRM referral form and contractors’ exit from services reports) be made available to panel members.
2.1 Home Office response: Accepted.
2.2 The Single Competent Authority has agreed a process with the Family Returns Unit (FRU) for sharing all relevant NRM records with the IFRP from January 2020.
3. Absconding: The IFRP recommends that in order to reduce the incentive to abscond, the notice period of removal given to families should be extended.
3.1 Home Office response: Accepted in principle.
3.2 The Home Office shares the IFRP’s concerns about families absconding. The policy on notice periods prior to removal sets out a “minimum” period and so it is open to extend this in individual cases where it can be justified.
4. Information for families about the family returns process: The IFRP recommends that the standard letter to families explaining the family returns process be made easier to understand for families with limited English.
4.1 Home Office response: Accepted.
4.2 The FRU is working to design an easy to understand guide to the Family Returns Process to use with all families. The FRU will work with the IFRP and the Office of the Children’s Champion (OCC) to complete this.